Grandma Tolman Turns 90!

On December 24th this year, Ty's maternal grandmother, Grandma Tolman, will turn 90 years old. Her children decided that this was a momentous occasion and deserved to be commemorated with a surprise birthday party. All 6 of her children came in to Lewisville for the event. Uncle Tom came with the excuse that he needed to use his sky miles and the others came quietly and stayed at local hotels. As many of the grandchildren that could, also came secretly. We all met at the church in Lewisville to await her arrival.
Tom and Annette claimed that Grandma's house was too small for all the local family to have dinner as a rouse to get her over to the church. Grandma was having none of it. She doesn't like to go out in the cold and ice and she was insisting that 26 people could fit in her home. Annette and Tom had to bully her to get her into her coat, all the while, Grandma was telling them how cruel they are to her. She even shed some tears about their cruelty. We were all waiting in the cultural hall as quietly as 40 some-odd people can. When she came around the corner into the room, we all shouted, "Surprise!" As Grandma took us all in, she was overcome with emotion and joy to see so many of her family together. She accepted hugs from many of us before she was led to the couch to sit down.






Everybody had brought different soups to share, so we had lots of yummy, warming food to enjoy. After dinner, each family stood to tell a memory about Grandma. From oldest to youngest, her children, then their children related their feelings about Grandma. The Spirit in her home, her testimony, and of course, rummy were mentioned, among many other thoughts and memories. there was much laughter and tears as well. The grand-kids who couldn't come even sent e-mails so as not to be left out of the celebration.
After the memories, the Great-grandchildren stood to sing a couple Primary songs to her. Then, the grandchildren sang a revised version of Jingle Bells, talking about how Grandma didn't want to come to the church, but now she was glad she did. Finally, her children sang "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks". Grandma was touched.
Finally, the cake was brought out. Everybody sang "Happy Birthday" and then she blew out the candles shaped like a 9 and a 0. We all clapped. But another surprise awaited. While the first cake was being cut for everybody to share, a second cake was brought out, this one with 90 candles all aflame! We all laughed and grandma was so tickled. We were just glad we didn't set the smoke detectors off!
It was a great birthday for Grandma and a great celebration for all her posterity. Happy Birthday Grandma Tolman. Here's to another 10!!!