Gigi, Nanie, Nonnie, Nonie.

My grandmother was the true definition of an enigma wrapped in a riddle.

She had many names.

Many spellings.

But only one personality, charming.

She would have been 105 today.

Happy birthday to a brand of class the world openly recongnized, and one I fear will never see again.

One I grew up with, whilst never understanding the magic I was in the presence of.

She was just my grandmother.

I grew up knowing a woman who was smart, silly and, savvy.

I grew up knowing a matriarch.

I grew up knowing a woman who was the furthest person from being a gate keeper.

I grew up with a woman who was so generous I don't even know where to begin.

I grew up not with a grandmother, but a teacher.

A teacher of class.

A teacher of education and its importance.

A teacher of value.

Of arts and travel.

The giggles.

Man was she good at those.

One liners?

How long do you have?

A teacher of water and the ocean.

Of the finer things in life?

Her knowledge unrivaled.

But truly?

She was a teacher of the ideals of family.

We are ride or die.

Whether openly, or behind the scenes, she showed me we are always here for each other.

She came to evey one of my graduations.

She came to each of my children's baptisms.

She never saw a plane ride as an excuse to miss anything.

She made everything.

No matter what.

So while she may have missed her latest birthday; her advice, examples and teachings will continue to exist well beyond the century we were so lucky to have shared with you.

Our family; my kids, and the world as a whole are better for it, all of it, all of you.

Here's to another 100 years of some great advice.

Love you, miss you, and I know I will never be able to be you, that said, I'll never stop trying!

Promise.

Xoxo,

C.