Today is my dear Grandmother’s Ninetieth birthday. It is an incredible accomplishment and another exciting highlight in a wonderful life that is far from over!  My nanna, Eris, is a kind, generous and feisty woman. She is the kind of person that when she wants something, it happens.  She makes it happen – through determination, dedication or perhaps sheer will.

I was blessed as a young person to have my grandmother come and live with us.  I was very lucky she was around, especially during high school when she would make my dinners (according to the latest dietary requirements), drive me to practice, and help me remember my apparatus when I was on the way to overseas competitions (TRUE STORY: I’m in the airport waiting to go through the security check, and my nanna casually asks “Are you not doing the hoop at this competition?” After some gasps and sighs my parents quickly drove home to retrieve the hoop – and thankfully we only live a short drive from the airport and I was still able to make my flight!).

I’m so grateful to have such an incredible person related to me, and to be a role model of what a strong, brave and kind woman is.  My dearest Nanna I wish I could be with you today, but thinking of you, celebrating the tremendous ninety years you’ve had already and wishing you many more joyous birthdays to come!