My grandmother turned 99 on May 8th. We gathered a few weekends ago to celebrate her. And us.

My brother Joel brought his granddaughter who would be my grandmother’s great, great granddaughter!

I’ve never been in the presence of great-greats before! She’s the dark-haired beauty sitting with the nephew in the yellow t-shirt.

Grandma was so happy when Lola decided to jump into her lap! Good grand dog!

Just to recap, when Grandma was born in 1914 the First World War had not yet started. Royal houses across Europe still stood.

Woodrow Wilson was President. Of 48, not 50 states.

In 1904 only 3 million homes had telephones.

By 1914 America was the leader in home telephones but even so, most homes did not have phones. Especially rural farm areas where Grandma was born.

There was no television or radio broadcasting.

She road to school in a horse drawn wagon.

Her father plowed with a horse.

She had two dresses.

Remember the first time you logged onto a personal computer? Or held a smart phone?

That’s how her generation felt with the picture shows, radio and television.

Movies were still silent and Gloria Swanson and John Barrymore were stars.

It’d only been two years since the Titanic went down!

She’s lived through two World Wars, Korea, Viet Nam, Dessert Storm, 9/11 and the following wars.

She’s buried her father, mother and three older sisters, her husband, and one son-in-law. Her best friends and neighbors.

Think about it… All of the hugs, kisses, voices and laughs, shared tears and shared joy, that helped to form your life, your heart, gone.

For nearly all of her 99 yeas, Grandma loved Jesus. She’s been an intercessor and believer.

She bought and sold homes. Raised two daughters and eight grandchild, and helps still now with 2 great grandchildren who live near her.

Ninety-nine. Only a number. But a very long, well-lived life.

Stay tuned. I’m sure I’ll be back next year talking about her 100th.