I thought I'd start off with a short tribute, a little acknowledgement of how it all began, before I kick off the celebration. Pictured is my grandmother, Dorothy Jordan... she turned 95 in 2014!
My earliest memories involve being with her. I understand now the effort she made to spend quality time with me and my sisters. The kind of time that meant helping her cook, running errands with her, playing in the yard, and going for picnics and hikes at Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain.
She also took us to Rich's for Breakfast with Santa and to ride The Pink Pig; to see The Nutcracker and Annie at The Fox and to hear outdoor concerts by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Even now, she loves trying new recipes, eating at fine restaurants and visiting new places - and she instilled that love in me and my sisters. I remember being in awe when listening to her stories of traveling all over the country and to far-flung countries. And, I still occasionally hear a new tidbit about a meal or adventure she had while crisscrossing the globe.
She's well-read and is a living history lesson, dispensing more details about events in Atlanta, Georgia, our nation, and the world than any book, blog or television program could hope to impart. [Not to mention she can dish on any celebrity you care to know about...]
Even with the many hardships and curve balls life has thrown her way, she remains positive and optimistic. She's by far the most witty person I know and often has me (and anyone in earshot) in stitches. As the epitome of someone who celebrates life everyday, it's fitting for the first blog to honor "Mamain."