My grandmother had been unresponsive since her stroke last Thursday. The doctor gave her 48 hours.
When my mom and brother left the hospital room, Baba and I got to have one last chat.
I told her how much I loved her and what a great grandmother she had been and relived our shared memories over the last 47 years.
Her eyes opened just a bit as we “talked”.
Then I read her the content she inspired me to write last year.
It’s completely possible I imagined it. But I swear I saw her smile and a tear roll her cheek as I read…
I flew to Houston this week to celebrate my grandmother’s 96th birthday.
Baba is nothing if not inspiring.
While most of her friends and family her age have long passed away, she’s still going strong.
She does laps around the house with her walker every day to keep in shape.
She wants to get to age 100 because apparently time reverses and you start growing younger from there.
I witnessed her get a million birthday calls from friends and family (WAY more than I’ve ever gotten).
She chose not to rust.
She chose the Hunter S Thompson kind of life.
I’m lucky (and grateful) to have her DNA coursing through my veins.
We all deserve no less from life.
But it IS a choice.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
– Hunter S Thompson
