My Grandma is Ninety!

My paternal Grandma, Joy Bateman Wixom Samson, was born in 1922. When I think about the changes she has witnessed in the world in the time since her birth, I am filled with wonder. She was born on a farm and grew up with few conveniences that were available even in those times. She is the youngest of 10 children and did things like herd sheep and milk cows. Every day. She was a child during the Roaring Twenties, a teen during the Great Depression and a young bride and mother during World War 2.  She took care of a husband sick with the effects of Rheumatic fever for his entire adult life. He had a doctor that thought penicillin was a fad drug and not to be trusted. He eventually died at the very young age of 52 after undergoing a heart transplant in the early years of that procedure. She was by his side the whole time. She then married a wonderful man who became the only grandpas of whom I have real memories. He passed away a few years ago and she is alone now. But not really.

Grandma with her 4 children:
my aunts and my dad

She is a witness of the history of nearly an entire century, and the matriarch of a large and diverse family.

So, we thought we should have a party. And we did. A roomful of her family and friends came from all over the country to be by her side and be so grateful for her life.

It was a hard time for me to be gone, but there is never a really convenient time for worthwhile things, right?  I wanted to put my family first and so I flew to the west.  It was a historic gathering in scope and purpose, so it truly was worthwhile. So many members of our family have not all been in one place for a long time. In my own family of origin, 7 of 8 siblings were there. Naturally, I was taking photos, and it was a joyful thing to see these people to whom I'm connected through this grandma.

3 Generations

Me and Grandma Joy

3 of my 4 brothers and all of my sisters. 

Family relationships can be complicated and fraught with both joy and sorrow, but for this night, we focused on the former in all ways as we came together to honor this woman we love so much.