Great-Grandma Dryg

Cameron's Grandma, Bertha Dryg, is 98 years old. I first met her 9 years ago, when I was pregnant with Isaiah. We drove from Salt lake to Lyons, Colorado to visit her. She had so many stories, we spent most of the few days we were there listening to her tell about growing up in Bolivia, meeting Cameron's Grandpa, traveling alone to the United States to meet her husband, raising her 6 boys and 1 girl- and probably a lot of other stories I can't even remember right now. A few years ago- Cameron, Isaiah, and Ali went to visit her again, after she moved to Michigan. The kids were a little to young to remember, so I am glad we were able to get to California last weekend to see her one more time. For the first time in at least the 10 years I've been in the family, the Dryg family had a reunion. We met up at Grandma's old home in Los Gatos, now Cameron's uncle Ed's home. Her memories are fading, but she seemed to understand all her family was gathered around her. She enjoyed meeting her great grandchildren, and seemed proud to hear how many grandkids and great-grandkids she had. She joked about it was good to know she was good for something.

Before we left, we told her we were so happy to be able to see her again. She kept saying she was 100 years old. (I'd say, if you make it to 98- you get to claim you're 100) She also said a few times she was glad she came this year- because she didn't expect to be here at this time next year. I don't know if that is an intuition she had, or something she just said because she is nearing 100.

While we were trying to get all of our naughty children to sit still and smile for a picture with her (they were doing everything but sitting still and smiling) Some of her old mothering came out. I heard her instructing them to sit still, and once or twice she threatend to give them a good smack. I thought that was pretty funny. Too bad she didn't.