My Precious Mema - Happy 88th Birthday!

My grandmother on my mom's side - we call her Mema just celebrated her 88th birthday. You would never believe that she is 88 years old by looking at her. She is a sweet, compassionate, Godly woman. In all my 41 years I have NEVER heard her raise her voice in anger. She loves the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul. Some of the following pictures are blurry but they are very old.

I know where I get my "country roots" . . .from my Mema. She was born and raised on a farm. She was a country girl . . .just like me.
She met my wonderful grandfather - Papa . . . he is now in heaven patiently waiting for her :-)
Mema has always been in church. Here she is with the Sunday School class she taught.

She loves the sun and beach!

She always looks so put together! Here she is with "me" . . .her very first grandchild! She has 7 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren!Here we are at my favorite place in the whole wide world . . .the lake. The year that I was born my Papa and Mema bought a lake cottage on the most beautiful lake in northern Indiana. They used it in the beginning as a vacation home and later moved there year round after Papa retired. Many years later, my parents bought a place on the same lake and when I was a sophomore in high school I convinced my dad to let us live at the lake full time. My most fondest memories are of the lake. They were so happy and had years and years of blissful marriage. They were always holding hands and they loved spending time together. Everything was always centered around the family.
This picture was taken on their 49th wedding anniversary - July 13, 1986. Papa went to heaven the next day . . .We all love Mema so much. Here I am with my brother Andrew, Mema, and my sisters Michelle and Stephanie. For years and years Mema always made us the best meals when we visited she and Papa. She was always giving! I found something that she loves . . .she loves my homemade bread. I try to make her 3 loaves each time I see her . . .she slices it and keeps it in the freezer so she can slowly have some a little each day!
Our kids adore her! Happy 88th Birthday Mema! I love you so much! I have so many sweet memories of you embedded in my mind forever. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to your kids, to your grandkids and now your great grandchilden. You are a true woman of God. Also, you look incredible! It is amazing you do not even have to color your hair . . .I think I have more gray than you do :-) I love you!