HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY BANNIE!!
I’m gushing over the fact that it’s my grandmother’s 100th birthday today! She is the most special lady-- not just a “grandma,” but more like a mother to me.
When my cousin was an infant, she couldn't pronounce "Granny" and kept saying "Bannie." My grandmother thought it was cute, and the name "Bannie" was born.
my grandmother, siblings & parents
Born August 28, 1909 in San Francisco, the daughter of Romanian immigrants, Tillie has lived a humbled life of 100 years in the city of San Francisco. A century of stories she has to share. And, let me tell you, at 100, her mind is as sharp as a tack!
My grandparents at Stinson Beach in 1931. They were still courting.
She met my sweet grandfather Stanley in 1930 and got married in 1932. They were married for 66 years and my Papa passed away.
Tillie & Stanley Batt - Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco 1932
My grandparents were married at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. From this photo it looks like they were from a wealthy family. Not so. Working class families. As my grandmother tells me, in those days things were not as expensive and they saved and saved for special occasions.
Giving. Generous. Sweet. Outgoing. Curious. Selfless. Wise. Bannie has the spirit of a young person. She is excitable and the smallest of things make her happy. If I've inherited just a portion of the qualities she has, I'm grateful.
So today marks 100 for Bannie...a Centurion! This cake above makes me think of Bannie. Fit for a queen!
Tomorrow we will be having a party at her house with family & friends. I can hardly wait! We've been decorating up a storm!
Thank you Bannie for giving me all you had to give. Driving me home from school every day. Attending every single dance recital or concert I was in. Letting me torture you on vacations by dragging you out for hot fudge sundaes when you really didn't want to leave the motel. Letting me bring my laundry over in garbage bags and you having it all ready-- hanged and perfectly pressed!
Comments
My Lynn,
Oh gosh...let me see if I can type through these tears... This post grabbed my heart at hello! You did such a BEAUTIFUL tribute for your BANNIE!! I wish her today 100 stars to wish upon and the moon to swing in~ Thank you Beautiful Bannie for being the heart of my Best Friend{who is just like you}, for loving her and being there for her every need. Happy 100th Birthday BEAUTIFUL QUEEN BANNIE!!!!
XOXO's
Always,
Janet
i love to hear about someone who has witnessed 100 years of change in a given city...imagine what she's seen and where she's come from. she is certainly filled with amazing memories!
xox
the creativity you bring in your life and the lives of people you love." ~ Sophia Loren
It seems fitting.
http://reverie-daydream.blogspot.com/2009/08/fountain-of-youth.html
What a remarkable feat and what stories she must tell. I wish her well.If she lived in the U.K. she would get a letter from the Queen.Do people in the U.S, on reaching 100, get anything like that ?
She will be the belle of the ball tomorrow at her party and will be tickled pink with all the deserving attention. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANNIE!!!!!!!!
Best Wishes to your grandmother!
Hope you will have an amazing time at that party!
E
Wishing her a spectacular birthday!
I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. It's been an emotional day, as she had been really sick a month ago and we didn't know if she'd make it to 100.
SO, thanks again from myself and BANNIE!!
xo Lynn
Coincidentally, it was also my son's 23rd yesterday. I can't understand how it happened, so soon.
You are blessed to have that kind of love in your life for so long.