Great Gram’s real name is Etta Gwendolyn Buzzell St. Laurent (Buzzell was her maiden name).  She was married to Bernard “Nard” St. Laurent for 53 years.  She grew up in Dover, and he was a Somersworth boy.  They had four girls, Marcia, Nancy, Brenda and Karen (also known as your Grammy).  Her husband died in 1992 at the age of 73 (the same year my Dad died at the age of 67).

Over the past 24 years, Great Gram has lived on her own on Pinewood Drive in Somersworth. She does her laundry, cooks her own meals, goes grocery shopping, takes a daily shower and can hear a pin drop on the other side of a room (otherwise known as good hearing).  She’s still sharp as a tack, meaning mentally sharp… able to listen attentively, able to join a conversation and express herself in every way.

What makes this somewhat ordinary set of things extraordinary is the fact that she turned 98 years old October first.

98 years old! 

She’s been blessed with a loving family and very good health (she was only admitted to the hospital twice in her life besides giving birth to her daughters).  Most people (A) never live that long and (B) if they do, have lost their health, can’t hear, can’t walk, can’t talk, are in nursing homes, and aren’t mentally sharp.  Among other challenges!

Almost a century old, she was born in 1918, the same year World War I ended.  Woodrow Wilson was President, the Red Sox beat the Cubs in the World Series (they wouldn’t win again until 2004).   The average annual wage was $1500.00 (today it’s $50,000).  A house cost $4,820 (today it’s at least $300,000.00 for a decent house in the NH Seacoast).  A car cost $360.00 (today it’s $33,000.00).

Amazing huh?  Happy birthday Great Gram, you are living, breathing history!

It was a beautiful summer with a couple notable twists: the Clickman clan lived there from June 30 through August 15; it featured phenomenal weather with the longest stretch of sun and clear skies I can remember in our 20 years of owning the beach house.  We had our annual 4th of July party, there were sleepovers, lots of boogie boarding, yummy deck food grilling, drippy castle building, freeze pops; river and lake building and visits to the Scoop Deck.  Here’s a visual recap of July & August:

Happy Birthday Ben!

It’s been one of the highlights of my life (Grammy too) watching – and being a close part of – your transformation from a tiny baby to a young adult.

How did 13 years fly by so fast? You’re a teenager!  What??!!??!!

For this special occasion, here’s my list of 13 awesome things about Ben Clickman

your sense of humor-  every time I’m around you I’m reminded of the wonder of smiling and being happy.  You have an amazing gift Ben, the power to see humor in life, to make others smile, and laugh!  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.  You’ll always have friends and will be successful because of it. Nurture your fantastic sense of humor to make the world a happier place.

your good looks –  You’re a good looking dude, always have been, always will be.  You can’t help it, so are your parents and grandparents, so how could you miss!  As your body goes through the biological changes of teenagerness (I made it up), your inner confidence will grow, grow grow.  So don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright.

your ability to be a true friend – you’ve already learned one of the most important lessons in life: the importance of friends.  I love the way you interact with yours, laughing, having fun, being a good listener and caring.

your easy going nature – you, sir, are not high maintenance in a world that’s increasingly filled with high maintenance people!   You make me feel relaxed the second I’m around you.  I could hang out with you all day, every day.

 

your potential – I can spot potential in people.  I’ve worked with thousands of them and hired hundreds of them.  You’ve got what it takes to conquer the world.  The personality, brains, dedication and focus to set the world on fire. You give it your all and keep working hard. This stick-with-it-ness  (a word I just made up)  made you an Honor Roll student, a smart soccer player, talented bugle player and askilled gamer.  Achieve your potential Ben and you will conquer whatever you want to conquer.

your love of animals –  “Be the person your dog thinks you are.”  Love that quote.  Apple and Ruby are two lucky dogs!

your appreciation  –  Some of the words that jump into my brain when I think of you are thankful, kind, appreciative and polite.  Not many “kids” are like that!  Heck, not many adults are like that! You’re not a brat! You don’t take things for granted!  What a fantastic way to be.

your inspiration – being around you makes me a better person. I learn important things from you (what I’m talking about in this blog).  That’s the way you make me feel. I want to be like you.

your athletic skills –  Having never played on a sports team (my parents didn’t encourage that sort of thing), I admire how you’ve faced challenging moments on the field in the heat of competition and risen above. And how you became so smart and skilled at soccer after years of hard work, learning new skills and facing tough competition.  You personify the saying “There’s no “I” in team.” 

your opportunity to shine  – it’s not easy being the oldest of four kids in a family… your siblings look up to you, your parents expect a lot.  You were the first of seven grandchildren for Grammy and I, so you’re leading the way for us too.  While it may sometimes feel like there’s pressure to excel, remember that’s actually a good thing because it shows how much people believe in your capabilities and possibilities.  The quote below reminds me of you… these are the attributes that make up the Ben Clickman I know.

Last year our Easter egg hunt was on the beach… this year it was at our new house @ 30 Shore Lane in Dover.  As soon as everyone was here, the wild search began for brightly colored eggs (with money and candy inside). Up and down and all around you went, a dozen eggs apiece after all the mysteries were solved.   The Samurai Seven posed for a group photo featuring simultaneous bunny mouth posing, impressive!  The weather was delightful with bright sunshine… we played football on the front lawn and hiked down to the Piscataqua riverbed finding treasures along the way.  Hoppy Easter 2016!