Wednesday, July 16, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS LULA!!

I just want to wish a very happy birthday to my grandmother, Lula Harwell (or, as she is known to many,"Lulu") This Glamour Gal turns 89 years old today and I feel very blessed to have had her in my life for so long. She has raised four children, has 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and has been married for almost 67 years!! No small feat any way you cut it!!

I can remember coming over to her house when I was little - she was always very patient and would allow me to rummage through her jewelry box and try on her exotic long necklaces and clip earrings. I would play the organ at headache-inducing volume levels, complete with the bossa nova beat in the background and pull out the "Monkeys in a Barrel" game and scatter it all over the floor.

"Miss Lulu", as my grandpa calls her, should have worked for the fruit growers association. I can never remember a time when I saw her that she did not offer me a pear, grapefruit, apple, orange, tangerine, cherries, berries, banana, figs or kiwi. Heck, she even carries fruit when she travels!! A former English teacher, she is a voracious reader and a spelling editor for my grandfather and his newspaper columns and books. She is known for her love of roses and gardening, which I, and several members of the family, have inherited. She could spend hours at a plant nursery and has taught me the names of many different tree and plant species. Rarely could you leave her home without a hand-gathered bouquet from her garden (at times inhabited by a spider or some tiny insects, much to my chagrin). She is a gracious and hospitable woman who has always made everyone feel welcome in her home with her love of cooking, entertaining and laughter. She has had some bouts with cancer and ill health over the years, but manages to keep up with her daily walking and gardening still. As we like to say, "She takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'!" Happy Birthday, Grandma, and thank you for all you have invested in the lives of your family, friends and strangers - you are very loved!

14 comments:

pve design said...

Happy Birthday Miss Lulu! Wonderful tribute. Strong gene pool there Anne. A hard act to follow.
Love that she loves fruit! (me too :)

Tara said...

Anne

Honestly, I thought this was a pic of Ingrid Bergman--what a classy lady your grandma is!

rebecca said...

Aw, I love that! Beautiful photograph, Anne! People from that generation have something about them that I wish more people had today. Some intangible quality...

:)

annechovie said...

Hi Patricia!
She has passed down some great things for sure. Yes, I can imagine you do love fruit, you are from "Fruit Royalty"! ;>)

Tara~
Yes, she is a very striking lady - I have another photo of her that looks like a bit like Donna Reed.

annechovie said...

Thanks, Becca. I totally agree with you!

la la Lovely said...

Anne, how lovely. She sounds like the perfect grandmother, you are very blessed. I cherish all of my childhood memories of both of my grandma's. I only have one left and don't get to see her very often but when I do I really cherish it.

PS- Is/was your grandpa in the newspaper business? My family is in the newspaper business, so I was just curious.

PPS- I gave you a little award... check it out at my site.

annechovie said...

HI Trina~
Thanks for the sweet comment. Yes, she is a very special person. Thanks for the award - I will check it out!

sugar said...

Happy Birthday to your Grandma "LuLu!" She's just precious. What a lovely picture. I absolutely love the story. There aren't many like her. Thanks for sharing.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Gorgeous photo! Best wishes for her happy birthday!

annechovie said...

Thanks for stopping by, Southern Sugar, and for your kind comment! Please visit often and have a great weekend!

annechovie said...

Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your comment and kind wishes. Hope you have a great weekend!

Style Court said...

Beautiful tribute Anne. She sounds very glamorous!

annechovie said...

Thanks, Courtney. She is very special!

nevin said...

What a beautiful lady.. She is like a painting, I just adore her, very elegant, beautiful.. Lovely photo , Thank you so much for sharing this special lady with us..

 
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