Mum comes from a big family.  Perhaps calling it a “big” family is an understatement.  She is one of nine children.  Those children grew families, and had over 25 children.  The children have all had children, and the family continues to grow.

When I was a child, we celebrated holidays with the big family.  It was fun to get together with everyone, as there were always other kids for play.  One of the “holidays” we started to celebrate when I was a teenager was “Granny’s Birthday”.

Granny was the matriarch of the family.  She was an immigrant from Poland, coming to the United States with her family when she was only three years old.  She was one of the most amazing people I have ever met.  She had a limited education, yet her wisdom was limitless.  She was kind, generous, and always wore a smile. 

Everyone knew Granny. 

Everyone who knew Granny loved Granny.

Granny’s Birthday became a huge event, hosted by my parents.  The family event evolved into inclusion of close friends.  My folks provided the meat, and everyone brought a dish to share.  It was a day of feasting, story telling, game playing, and much laughter.

Rain or shine.

Every year, my father, along with a team of willing assistants (which included my brother) roasted a huge pig.  The pig was purchased the night before, seasoned inside and out, stuffed with kielbasa and sauerkraut, and put on ice until the wee hours of the morning.  Before dawn, a fire was started, and the pig was transferred to the spit for a long day of cooking.  The party would start early in the afternoon.  The feast would start when the pig was ready! 

Granny has been gone for many years now. 

We still celebrate!

Each year, on the Sunday closest to Granny’s birthday, we celebrate as family and friends.  We still gather at the home where I was raised.  Dad is gone too.  My brother was a worthy apprentice and does a remarkable job of cooking the pig to perfection, with his team of willing assistants. There is always more than enough food!

Today is the big day.  I sit here and think about all of the people who will not be with us to celebrate.  The list grows every year.  This year is no exception.

I am grateful my mind quickly recalls the good times we have had year after year, and the laughter shared!  I am grateful that despite trials and tragedies suffered, we still have joyful experiences to celebrate.

We find our happiness together.

Today we will celebrate.

Today I am grateful!