Ok, I know I should be doing some work but all day I just have not been able to focus. In fact my Nana has been on my mind all week. You see today would have been her 100th birthday! WOW - can't believe that - and she has been in my thoughts all day. She was born Ellen Mary Johnson (but everyone called her Babs) in Calan Kilkenny, Ireland Aug 5, 1908 and came to this country when she was in her early twenties with her sister. She married a man with 2 girls and then had 6 children of her own. That's her below, the 2nd from the left in 1962 and my Mom, the 2nd from the right.
I loved my Nana and spent so much time with her. We lived in the same town and I have very fond memories of her in my childhood. She passed away when I was 20 (back in 1979) but I still remember so much about her. My brother & I would listen to her old records - Splish Splash, Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, The Girl from Ipanema - and so many more. We made Christmas cookies at Christmas time, decorated the tree, had dinner with her often - she wasn't a good cook but we didn't care! We loved listening to her stories with tales of the old country. She loved to sing and I can still hear her laugh. She was an amazing woman and I miss her! I see pieces of her in my Mom and all my aunts.
I wish she could have gotten to know my darling daughter, Jenn (above 1978 at Nana's 70th birthday party) better. Jenn was the baby in the family back then and Nana wanted me to call her Bridgette. Well, I didn't but she did! "How's Bridgette, Kiss Bridgette for me..." She loved Jenn and would love her even more now. I wish that she could have met my amazing husband, Tony - she would have loved him too. I'm so happy that Tony got to meet her sister Josie, in Ireland a few years back - to me, Josie looks just like my Nana so in some regard it was like he was meeting her. It was a precious moment and I was grateful for the opportunity. I wish that I could have had more time with her but appreciate all the moments we spent together as the memories are priceless.
This is how I remember my Nana, just as she looked in 1977 when Jenn was a few months old. She will forever hold a very special place in my heart and I will forever hear her in my head telling me "Angels kissed me..."
Happy 100th Birthday Nana - You are loved always & we all miss you!
ok I'm off to senior session - back to work ;-)
I loved my Nana and spent so much time with her. We lived in the same town and I have very fond memories of her in my childhood. She passed away when I was 20 (back in 1979) but I still remember so much about her. My brother & I would listen to her old records - Splish Splash, Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers, The Girl from Ipanema - and so many more. We made Christmas cookies at Christmas time, decorated the tree, had dinner with her often - she wasn't a good cook but we didn't care! We loved listening to her stories with tales of the old country. She loved to sing and I can still hear her laugh. She was an amazing woman and I miss her! I see pieces of her in my Mom and all my aunts.
I wish she could have gotten to know my darling daughter, Jenn (above 1978 at Nana's 70th birthday party) better. Jenn was the baby in the family back then and Nana wanted me to call her Bridgette. Well, I didn't but she did! "How's Bridgette, Kiss Bridgette for me..." She loved Jenn and would love her even more now. I wish that she could have met my amazing husband, Tony - she would have loved him too. I'm so happy that Tony got to meet her sister Josie, in Ireland a few years back - to me, Josie looks just like my Nana so in some regard it was like he was meeting her. It was a precious moment and I was grateful for the opportunity. I wish that I could have had more time with her but appreciate all the moments we spent together as the memories are priceless.
This is how I remember my Nana, just as she looked in 1977 when Jenn was a few months old. She will forever hold a very special place in my heart and I will forever hear her in my head telling me "Angels kissed me..."Happy 100th Birthday Nana - You are loved always & we all miss you!
ok I'm off to senior session - back to work ;-)
3 comments:
Susie,
Great pictures of Nana! We took the kids to Europe this summer and spent several days in Ireland and thought about Nana the whole time we were there. I also have a copy of my Mother's wedding picture and everyone looks so beautiful. (and somehow they all seem to have dark hair)Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome, Kathie! I'm sure you, John & the girls had a great time traveling. Hope all is well in TX.
Susie xoxo
Oh, My Dear Susie!
What a lovely and beautiful tribute to your Nana! How thoughtful of you to honor her this way! Our time with her was indeed a "one and only moment" and today my mother is still very much missed and loved. How could she ever be forgotten by those who knew and loved her?!
She would be SOOO proud of you...she loved you dearly.
She gave Joy!...She has Joy!
Love and Kisses,
Aunt Sharon
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