A few months back Peter and I travelled over to Queensland to celebrate my grandmother’s 100^th birthday.  I would have liked to put a tribute together then, but life happens so today I’m going to write about my grandma, she’s an amazing lady, and when I grow up I wanna-be-like her!

My Grandma is a lady with spunk.

She tells the story of a precocious little girl who was being annoying to her big brother as he was chopping wood.  End of the story is – the tip of her finger was chopped off.  Her brother threw the tip away – and ran to hide from the consequences!  Of cause GreatGrandad was not happy – but Grandma tells the story knowing she was a bit naughty.

She tells me she was one of the first ladies to wear trousers in their country district.  Grandad gave her a horse – I think as an engagement present – which also caused a bit of a stir.

They lived on a farm – and she has always been hospitable.  Though she tells me that Grandad used to chat to folk at the bottom of the stairs to give her time to tidy up and put the kettle on!

Grandma and Grandad travelled to wherever we lived – and her only regret now, at 100 years old, is that she didn’t get to see the Kimberley, where we live now.  It is the one corner of the country she hasn’t seen.   How I wished we had thought of escorting her over before travel became a bit too hard.

That being said, she’s still living on her own, in a Queenslander house – set on a hill – so that means stairs.  Up until she was around 95 she was still growing enough flowers in her garden to send a bunch into church every Sunday, along with a homemade loaf of bread for communion.

Her garden has always been a special place for me – it is where we would get some one on one time, where she would share her passion with me.  Each time I’d walk around her garden, or in her shade-shed, I’d be inspired to grow flowers, wherever I lived.

I asked her a few years ago about her long life – and she gives full credit to her God.  She says he is the one who keeps her alive and is the one who has given her a good life.

And she has had a good life – but not without hardships.  Her hands, now a bit buckled with arthritis, tell you she’s been a do-er.  She’s worked on the farm, in the house, and in the church community.  She’s cared for others – for their physical needs, as well as their emotional and spiritual.  She’s grown veggies, cooked food, bottled jams and peaches.  She’s made bread, biscuits and cakes.  She’s made Christmas presents, knitted for fund raisers, and written cards for her grandkids, great grandkids and a few great-great grandkids.

She does it all with a joy – an inner joy that loves life, loves people and loves God.  You can see that joy on her face every day as she greets you with a big smile.

I love my grandma – I’ve never lived near her – I’ve only got to know her through visits but she is the kind of lady I’d like to be like.

Sharing with others at:  Tuesday at Ten’s prompt: Someone I admire.