Ganne's Birthday Wishes

My grandmother, (Ganne, as she's known by her "grands") turned 75 this year, so we decided to do something extra special. My mom contacted friends, colleagues, and students who had been a part of her 75 years and ask them to send her birthday greetings. The results were beyond what we imagined. Ganne received over 170 cards and emails!
Today, she stopped by to see us and brought her "birthday book" with her, and I snapped a few pictures.
I've inherited many qualities from my Ganne, but I wish I'd gotten her knack for organization. The book contains all of the birthday cards and emails - alphabetized by sender.
This is the card that AP picked out and sent. She calls this "Hello Kitty-Cat."
In addition to the birthday greetings, my sister and I wrote this poem. If you know her, I think you'll agree with our assessment.

She Is…

She is a collector. Of Hummels and postcards and books. Of toothpick holders and L.V.’s folk art.

She is a teacher, and although retired, you are sure to learn something when in her presence.

She is a saver. She is a pack rat, an eater-of-leftovers, a coupon-clipper, and one who freely accepts (and often requests) the senior discount.

She knows how to create her own parking space.

She says things like, “Woo Ooh!” and, “I love you a bushel and a peck,” and, “Wonder who lives here.”

Her yard is colorful with its day lilies and yard art.

She cheers for the Whippets, the Bulldogs, and sometimes, to our dismay, even the Rebels.

She is proud to be an American and flies her flag with honor.

She is true Mississippian with her magnolia tree and syrupy sweet tea.

She has a sweet tooth. You won’t find her without chocolates or mints in her purse. Her candy dish is full of M&Ms or gumdrops and there’s Neapolitan ice cream in her freezer.

She is a member, and often a leader, of groups like DAR, Cameo Society, Attala County Historical Society, Twenty-first Century Club, Little Garden Club, and Colonial Dames.

She likes things from south of the border – from chalupas and chimichangas to her favorite game, Mexican Train.

She is a “cook who cares.” She makes special treats like cocoons and "goop". She leaves the cherries out of Emily’s fruit salad; Laura’s chicken spaghetti is topped with extra cheese; and Andrew knows he can have fresh blueberries or sweet potato casserole on request.

She is up-to-date with the latest technology (if you don’t include the cell phone). Our email in-boxes are always full of interesting forwards and “personal notes”.

Her hometown is "a place called Sallis." She is at home in Kosciusko and has great memories from Monticello and Indianola.

She is a preserver of history who has researched and written historical accounts of her hometown, her church, and her favorite organization.

She has a new room full of memories.

She has nimble fingers that quickly type, beautifully play piano, and sweetly tell “face stories.”

She is full of energy and her house is always fun. With wind-up tub toys, phone calls to the library for story time (“Hang up the phone now please.”), a yellow bicycle-built-for-two, a tree to climb, and a closet full of toys and books from decades passed.

Her sleepovers bring back sweet memories of the fold-out couch with feather pillows, stories about Duke told in a voice unsurpassed by the most famous storytellers, her silky pajamas, and cold cream good-night kisses.

She decorates for every holiday on the calendar.

She has two Christmas trees: one dedicated to family and one to the state she loves.

She wears brooches and pins, and her necklaces are works of art. She wears socks with a ball, clip-on earrings, and a ring shaped like a butter tray. (Actually, she hasn’t worn it in quite some time…it’s just sitting in her jewelry box…maybe she should let someone wear it…someone like her second-born granddaughter who has admired it since she was very small.)

She likes a good game. She is a Wheel of Fortune fan, follows high school and college sports on the radio and TV, and has a weakness for entering contests.

She is a traveler who prefers taking the scenic route (i.e., the Natchez Trace).

She has many opinions. Sometimes she doesn’t even have to state them aloud. You can tell what she’s thinking with one look at her face – the higher the eyebrows, the stronger the opinion.

She is a celebrity. She makes regular appearances in the Star Herald.

She believes in the power of prayer and prays for her friends and family by name each day.

Three generations share her name.

She is a friend, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.

She is our Ganne.