89 candles...

today is a very special day (despite all of the other things i've already blogged about)....

one of my favorite girls is having a birthday....and not just any ol' birthday....an 89th birthday!

who is this girl, you ask? why, my lovely nana, that's who....

there are a million and one things i could write about my nana, but for the sake of brevity, i want to share that she is the queen of all things birthday. i mean, she is the reason that i consider birthdays to practically be national holidays. she ADORES birthdays and has passed down this love to my mumsie and to me. and although my sweet nana turned 89 today, she behaves like a 12 year old on her big day. oh, and i mustn't fail to mention that for a week prior to her birthday, she stalks the mailman like a madwoman, waiting for packages, parcels and bows (oh my!)...despite the fact that she usually sleeps in pretty late, she wakes up in the wee hours of the morning and cannot wait to tear her gifts open-that is if she hasn't already sneaked a peek in the days leading up to the blessed event. (oh, and she opens gifts before cards...i mean, cards are boring, right?!) she surrounds herself with her new treasures, drinks her coffee, and waits for the birthday calls to come pouring in. (and had i not been in the waiting room of the hospital this morning i would have sung to her upon her answering the phone....just as she's done for me....every year of my life)

this party girl plans her day around her lunch and dinner dates...i mean, what's a birthday if it's not filled with good food, family & friends... am i right? and don't think little miss 89 year old will be calling it a night & heading to bed early....oh no, my friends, she will stay up very late and soak up every last nugget of birthday.

she adores the attention. the gifts. the cake & ice cream. the love. and this birthday girl deserves nothing less.

my heart breaks a little when i picture her all by herself on her big morning- opening up her gifts in a frenzy at her little dining table. she is her very happiest at this moment & i love to share it with her. so nana, here's a promise- next year, without a doubt, i will be there to celebrate your biggest & best birthday of all...the big 9-0! (and i know you will tell me that you've already started your 90th year of life, but just go with it)

i love you, birthday girl. i'm so glad you had a wonderful day.