Happy 98th Birthday to Mae!

Ida Mae- my dear grandmother (known to all of us simple as "Mae") is celebrating her 98th birthday today! She just beamed when we sang to her this morning- and she's looking forward to seeing all of her grandchildren this afternoon!

The official "party" will be tomorrow and some very dear cousins will join us.

I have made a double batch of chocolate/butterscotch cookies and Mom has prepared three cakes. Our friend, Mr Sandy- will be making her a very special coconut cake and she overheard us discussing it today while I was checking to see if he needed any additional supplies he responded that he had about 20 white cakes mixes on hand already! I repeated that and she misunderstood and her eyes got big-- I just looked at her and said very casually- "oh, he's going to make a 20 layer cake unless you'd rather have it 98?" when she finally broke into a grin!

I think she'd rather we not make such a big deal of it- but, how often does a girl get to this age? In my family- this is the longest anyone has managed! Granddaddy made it to 97 and was so trying to make it to 100.





This photo is from Mae in her college days.

Wasn't she a dish?

I know that my grandmother was a wonderful dancer! Though my grandfather was crippled- he didn't mind her "taking a spin" with any number of their friends. My mom saw her dance once- I belive. Mae has told us of the best dancer partner she ever had- a fellow teacher when she was Dean of Women and taught at the Women's College in Magnolia. She said he was so light on his feet- that she fairly flew!

Mae's style has always been impecable. She knows what is "fitting" and still admonishes both my mother and myself to adhere to it- fashion wise. Looking at her in these pictures makes me realize from what a wonderful woman I'm descended. Knowing her as well and as long as I have- allows me to appreciate certain aspects that I never grew to with my other grandmother, Nancy (also a fine example of womanhood). I can only hope that if I should live as long as Mae- that I will be able to deal with life in the gracious manner that she has.

A true Southern woman.

With a lovely Carolina accent to her speech.

Happy Birthday, Mae! and May you continue to have Blessings and Grace in abundance!