Happy Birthday, Nannie.

Today, my grandmother would have celebrated her 61st birthday. We celebrated for her. =)
I have to take a few minutes to explain a little something about my Nannie.
She was the rock of our family. There are over thirty of us who get together every Sunday for lunch. (Always have, always will.) Not only Sunday's, mind you. We go on vacations (YES, all 30 of us!) and do so much together. And today, we got together and had Nannie's birthday party.
It sucks so bad that she couldn't physically be here. But she was there, just the same.
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most wonderful grandmother ever! And here is why...

My Nannie was sweet and kind, but you didn't want to get on her bad side.
My Nannie was quiet and thoughtful, but you wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley.
My Nannie was smart and fun, but you didn't want to mess with her family.
My Nannie was silly and outgoing, BUT... you didn't want to mess with her family.

That being said, I owe so much to that woman. She is the reason I am a writer. I've always had stories in me. When I was six years old, I hung out with my Poppy at the dealership he worked at before school every morning and typed all my stories on a computer he set up for me in the corner of his office. He would print them out for me, and I would staple the pages together. For years, those "books" were my pride and joy. When I was thirteen, the stories became a 122 page book for pre-teens. My Nannie read it, liked it, and paid for it to be self published. I will never forget the feeling when my mother and Nannie took such pride in my work. From that day on, I felt like an author. I even made money off that book! Since then, I have three complete novels and several work in progresses. I owe everything to her and wish with all my heart she was still her with me to share this adventure.

I just wanted everyone to know how truly AMAZING this woman was and how special she will always be to me.

I LOVE YOU NANNIE!
10-22-50 ~ 07-18-10