Happy Birthday Aunt Liz!

Yesterday, my DH's Aunt Liz celebrated her 91st birthday and I wanted to take a moment to send her a few cyber good wishes!

I've been truly lucky to have this remarkable lady in my life for over twenty years!

Liz grew up during a time when not many people went to college, especially women. But she did, and took her degree from the University of California, Berkeley just after World War II broke out here in the States. Immediately after college graduation, Liz joined the government to do her part for the war effort. She wound up as a civilian inspector of munitions trains in Slidell, Louisiana. After the war, she settled in Flagstaff, Arizona and married a college professor.

During the 1960s Aunt Liz was a single mom who went back to school, got her teaching credential and taught 3rd and 4th grades. In the summer, she would take her two kids and her nephew (my DH) on camping trips to places like The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Zion National Parks.

By the time I met Liz in 1989, she had retired after 20+ years of teaching. She had an active life that included membership in the Sierra Club and the San Francisco Opera. An avid hiker, tennis player and bird watcher, she also continued to travel. Liz was instrumental in helping my DH overcome his fear of flying and she traveled with us a lot, including our first trip to Turkey, a couple of forays to Europe, and once to China. In fact, Liz enjoyed China so much that a couple of years after we traveled there, she went back on her own to see the Xian warriors and cruise the 3 Gorges area of the Yangtze River!

These days, Liz spends most of her time at home enjoying her flower garden and playing with her cats Sammy and Ralphie.

So HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Liz! You have enriched my life beyond measure and I hope to stay around for many more years!

Do you have a special friend or relative who has reached a milestone birthday? Please share some stories with Aunty!