Living life to the fullest!

3 of his favourite people in the whole world!

 

Almost 10 decades later and this man is still living his life to the fullest!  My grandfather William Russell Brown was born on February 18th, 1918.  Last week he celebrated his 98th birthday surrounded only by his immediate family - those were his wishes...and of course we chose to honour his request.  We have made him promise though, that if he lives to be 100, he'll have no choice but to celebrate with a grand party.  The countdown is on!

 

In this life, I have met few people quite like my grandfather and I honestly feel that in this world there are few like him - I know many of you would agree.  I consider it a blessing that he has been in my life as long as he has.  He is not only my grandfather...he has taken on several roles throughout my life - a father, a teacher, a friend, a true hero in my mind.  I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and his accomplishments.  I know through my own experiences what kind of person he is but I've also learned what kind of person he was through stories told time and time again.  Some stories I choose to highlight because they are ones that I will always remember...

 

He was a great father to my mother and her siblings.  In an era where many fathers were the sole breadwinners and often absent in the day to day lives of their children, my grandfather was the opposite - both my mother and her sister tell me about his constant involvement in their childhoods. 

 

During WW2 he chose to join the air force.  During his instructional period his talents as a pilot were quickly recognized and he was asked to remain in Canada as a flight instructor.  To this day I sometimes feel that this decision was hard for him because like many other soldiers I'm sure he wanted to be sent overseas in order to represent his country.  However, I recognize his roll in WW2 as one that is both honourable and commendable. 

 

Fast forward a couple decades and I often hear the story of my Aunt telling her father she was gay.  Again, I have so much respect for this man who welcomed his daughter with open arms and any partner she chose to bring into her life then and now (regardless of sex).  This was during a time when many parents would have looked down upon their children for coming forward and opening up about their sexuality. 

 

Years later, I entered the picture and now I can speak first hand about the kind of person he has been in my life.  In the early 90's he graduated from Sheridan College as their most mature student, at the age of 80, he went white water rafting with his girlfriend (the late Mary McCloskey) in Alaska, he published his first book in 2012, he is still living independently and driving.  Between his weekly yoga classes, writing his next book and wood carving, he still finds time to visit his great-grandchildren and he never arrives empty handed.  He always has a little gift for Hudson, Georgia, Jackson and of course our dog Cody.  The memories I have of growing up with my grandfather are ones I hold dear...from our summers at Balsam Lake to our many conversations about life, love, finances and education.  His words of advice have been endless, ongoing and always given with careful regards to my feelings and my own dreams.  There's nothing more wonderful than seeing him with my own children...their grandpapa as they would call him.  These times together are often shorter and fewer than I would like, as our lives are both extremely busy - but we make the most of them and enjoy every minute. 

 

So there you have it...a brief history about my grandfather for those of you who have never met him.  A man who truly lives life to the fullest in every sense of the phrase.  From his own personal goals to being an incredible support for me and my family...his way of life is a constant reminder of what kind of person I want to be.  When it came time to making his birthday cake last week, I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and tired.  I told my mom after promising to make it that I was thinking of ordering it...then the night before his birthday it occurred to me that I had no choice but to make it.  All those years when he made my birthday cakes, I'm sure he was busy as well, but he made my first one in 1982 and last week I told myself I would be there to make his last...no matter when that is.  Here are a few photos from last weeks celebration.

 

Baby Jack with his Aunt Joanne.

I let Georgia decorate the cake (which was very hard for me because I'm such a perfectionist)...but just look how proud she was of her accomplishment!

LEGO with Hudson and Georgia.

Opening gifts!  What do you give someone who's 98??  Books - he loves to learn ..and clothes - we want him to look good!

The whole gang!

 

Happy Birthday Grandpa!  Wishing you a happy, healthy and fulfilling year!  Lots of Love