Crow's Nest: October 2009

85 years, that's quite a journey. 85 is what Grandpa Crower turned last Saturday.

I was so glad that I was able to host his birthday party with the family in my new house. The house he helped me build over the last few summers. Yes, that means he started helping me when he was 83! How many people can say that their grandfather, in his 80s, helped build their house...and was a productive member of that team? I'm guessing not many. I am so blessed to have him in my life and to have him be so willing and able to help. Even if he did try to take off my thumb with a hole saw. :)

He is an amazing person who has been through the loss of two wives, yet still lives life to the fullest and has an undying faith that amazes me! His sense of humor never fails to impress us and have us holding our stomachs laughing. While he's being sent into surgery, when asked how he's doing he responds with, "Ok I guess, but they haven't given me the good drugs. They won't let me smoke pot yet!" Or when he is watching his 9 month old great granddaughter eat dinner says, "Wow Madi, if they fed me as much as they feed you I'd be crapping my pants too!" When asked if he has a lady friend he'd like to bring to a baseball game with us he says, "Well it's only Wednesday...I still have 3 more days to find one!" When talking to my other grandfather who was in a nursing home, "Jim...if the old ladies in the nursing home are chasing you...slow down and let them catch up!" These are just a few examples that keep us on our toes when he's around.

We had a great time at the birthday party last weekend, eating, laughing, and playing cards. He even skipped Saturday night mass to hang out with his family at a party in his honor.

I plan on enjoying the next month with him in town before he heads back south. I still owe him a home cooked meal at my house that doesn't involve hamburgers, hot dogs, or large quantities of people. I'll have a deck of cards waiting for after dinner, and maybe even a Tigers game on TV if they are still in the playoffs.

Here's to many more years to come!