Happy 104th Birthday, Grandma Phoebe
On Friday evening, Liz and I arrived (a little late) and joined my family at my parents’ house. Several family members came back to celebrate my grandma’s 104th (that’s right, 104) birthday.
We had all gotten together a few months ago, when Jenny and her family visited prior to their departure for China. We did a celebration for my grandma’s birthday then too because… hey, it’s 104. Let’s celebrate that as many times as we can manage!
Not quite pictured: my aunt Becky, playing “Happy Birthday” on the piano in the background.
And of course, the usual paparazzi photographs. Although without Jenny present, there were a few less shutter clicks (she’s a much better documenter than me).
The next day, we met up at Lucky Lou’s for a small family gathering. Unlike prior years, this year was much more subdued – we didn’t have a lot of other folks joining, and it was just two small tables with mostly Jung family members in attendance.
Though we’re all much older and more grown up now, it’s still… the kids’ table.
The adults table – along with my grandma (there with the red bow in her hair).
After dinner, she was presented with some pastries shaped like pears (a symbol of longevity). In her hand, she’s holding on to a check that my Aunt Carolyn gave her (for $104).
Much later in the evening – the cousins left around 9PM, and we grabbed a quick ice cream at Brics, in Broad Ripple. Really kicking myself for not getting some photos, but the place was a madhouse inside. Through a bit of luck, we got our order in earlier than expected, and found a large bench all to ourselves. A whole row of cousins, ice creams in hand.
Afterwards, we went back to Shane and Stacey’s house… and I remembered that I had my laptop on me! And that I had Quiplash on my computer!
Since the game’s release, I hadn’t had a chance to play the game at all. And with our group, it afforded the perfect opportunity. The setup was really easy, and once we got going… it was a really fun time. We played 3 or 4 rounds, and ended up calling it quits around 1AM or so.
Related:
Happy 103rd Birthday, Grandma Phoebe
Happy 102nd Birthday, Grandma Phoebe – Part 1
Happy 102nd Birthday, Grandma Phoebe – Part 2
Happy 100th Birthday, Grandma Phoebe!
Jenny’s Family Visits Indianapolis Before Departing to China
Grandma had a really good night on Friday, and a less good night on Saturday. We heard from some others that she was in good spirits on Friday, and recognized people. Although by the time we saw her, I’m not sure if she recognized me or not.
When I sat next to her on Friday, I reached out and held her hand. She looked at me and said “Woman!” And was pointing to my hair. I’m still not sure what to make of all that, and whether she recognized me… or if she was reminding me about her standing offer of $200 to cut my hair.
On Saturday, I think she had a harder day. There wasn’t much recognition in her eyes, when I talked with her. And at several moments during the evening – I saw her sitting on her own, while others were engaged in conversation elsewhere.
On one of these occasions I moved over to sit by her. But I don’t think she knew who I was. And though I wanted to comfort her, and be around her… I really didn’t know what to do or say.
It sounds terrible, but in some ways… I feel like we are all saying goodbye to her, albeit over a very long period of time, in a very slow kind of way.
Though Saturday was less ideal, I know she still has her good days. And one thing that seems to be a constant is her appetite. She was putting away Church’s fried chicken on Friday evening (her favorite), even after everyone else was long done. And as rough as Saturday was, she was eating non-stop then too.
I take this as a sign she plans to be around for a long while, yet.
avoision (August 17, 2015 at 8:53 pm)