Happy Birthday Grandmama Jobie!

This past Saturday my grandmother turned 80.  I wish I could convey the awesomeness of the weekend, but I really don't know if that is possible.  I'll do my best.  

My grandmother is a fabulous woman.  She has influenced my life in more ways than I can count.  And in true Ponder fashion, we celebrated all weekend.  There were over 30 family members in attendance for a family BBQ on Friday night.  Highlights from that night included a board of photos; a book of letters, poems and photos; a board of sayings and events relating to her influence on all of our lives; a bean bag toss tournament; and excellent BBQ.

L to R: Grandmama Jobie with her sister, Aunt Cat

Laura Beall is named after my grandmother - Josephine Beall Ponder 

Here is my addition to the Birthday Book.

I Remember

I remember staying with you and Granddaddy each summer

I loved the "Big Boat", had fun on the "Little Boat"

And learned how to sail on a Sunfish

I remember loving all those boats.

I remember big family dinners for every occasion

I loved helping with the crescent rolls and pinching off the corners

And sneaking in the garage to find the frozen cookie dough

I remember loving all those meals.

I remember evenings with lots of story telling

I loved hearing about life in Cottonwood and summers at the Lake

And all the stories that involved my dad

I remember loving all those nights.

I remember the beautiful summers at Compass Lake

I loved being lazy in the water or riding the jet ski

And the evening cocktail cruises, especially after I turned 21

I remember loving all those summers.

I remember the summer I lived with you at the Lake

I loved being near you when we were hurting

And learned how deep love could live and last

I remember loving all those special moments.

I remember introducing you to Grant and then to Laura Beall

I loved naming our daughter after you

And knowing that she has a wonderful legacy to draw from

I remember loving all our moments as a family with you.

Happy 80th Birthday Grandmama.

Of course we made time for the beach!  Several of the cousins were flying in from IL, OR, UT and WA, so they were excited to see the sun and sand too.

Grandmama has a park across the street from her house - perfect for hunting eggs!

And finally we got to the main event of the weekend - the party.  We had it in a ballroom at the Wyndham.  Beautiful.  My grandmother had friends there from every stage of her life.  There was a table of her high school friends that drove down from Dothan.  There were her Bay Point friends - her home since retirement almost 30 years ago.  There were her choir friends from church.  And then of course all of the family.  We danced the night away.  

On Sunday we attended Grandmama's church, followed by a big lunch at her favorite restaurant.  The weekend was a testament to the kind of woman she is - a lover of people and a lover of life.  Happy Birthday Grandmama - you're still fabulous at 80.