Last March, my grandmother turned 99. We had a BBQ in celebration, which is what we have done for the past 8 years thinking, “This may be her last birthday”. This morning, I was visiting her and decided to do a painting of her while she watched the television. Her favorite is the game network with old reruns of “Password” and “The $100,000 Pyramid”. She sat there very content for me as I searched her every curve and wrinkle on her face. Every once in a while she would look over to me and give me a wink.

I have had the opportunity to watch her die on three occasions. Each time she pulls through and goes home for a few more years. The first time was when she was only a young lady of 80. One of the valves in her heart gave out and they did a valve replacement with a valve from a pig. She likes to share that she has something in common with bacon. Today she was doing very well, although she asked me several times what that thing on the back of my leg was (my tattoo), so I know her short-term memory is going. My dad told me that the other day she told him “The old grey mare ain’t what she used to be”. At 99 1/2, that is to be expected.