Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Paul and I went over on Saturday for a small party for Hannah, just us and the family of a friend of their family. Hannah will have a sleep-over party with her friends later on. Ellen and Daniel got her a game that hooks up to the TV and is a dancing game. Of course, old granny that I am, I don't recall the name. Old granny that I am, I got her a book and Barnes and Noble gift card; but I know she'll like both.

We were reflecting that we can't believe 10 years have gone by. When Ellen announced she was expecting, we were living in Sheridan, and I knew I'd not be able to see the baby often, nor be at the birth, if we lived that far away from them, as they were in Denver. Plus, although the job at the Sheridan paper was just fine, it wasn't exactly a place to build a career. So, I basically drew a circle around Denver with about an hour drive and started job hunting. I had been freelancing to the Cheyenne paper, and that led to a job there. I was so privileged to be able to be in the hospital when she was born.

Growing up, I was close to my grandma, both physically in that we lived in the same town, and emotionally. She died about 30 years ago, but in many ways, I still miss her. She added a level of love and acceptance to my life that I really needed. She died fairly young, early 70s, after a stroke, but I was so glad that she was able to know Ellen, who was 7 months old when she died. She's my model when it comes to my grandchildren. Thanks, Grandma.