An Unbreakable Bond

When my oldest daughter, Corrie Petersen was born, it was one of the happiest days of her great grandmother, Nettie Knox’s life. Her first great grandchild had been born on her birthday. I had no idea Corrie was coming on Grandma’s birthday, because in my “labor fogged” head, I thought it was July 1st, not June 30th. What they share is called “birthday twins” and it was the coolest thing for both Grandma Knox and Corrie. When Corrie was little, and indeed until grandma passed away when she was just a month past 82 years, and Corrie was just a month past 15 years, they celebrated their birthdays together. It was so important to both of them. Their bond was a very special one and lasted for the rest of Grandma’s life…and beyond. I know that with Grandma in Heaven now, Corrie feels sad sometimes, and her birthday is just a little bittersweet, but I hope Corrie knows just how proud Grandma always was of her.

Two years ago, Corrie realized her dream of becoming a nurse, and I have imagined many times since then, just how proud of Corrie her great grandmother would be. She always knew that Corrie would become something great. She never doubted it for a minute, and I’m sure that Corrie has thought of her great grandmother many times since becoming a nurse. When Grandma was young, most women became stay-at-home moms. These days, that occupation is an extreme rarity. In fact, it is mostly the families that know that if the mom worked, the daycare would take up her entire paycheck. Those moms try to find work they can do at home, like babysitting and such. That was the world Grandma grew up and lived most of her life in. These days, most women have a career at some point in their lives, and the best thing is to find one that you love to do. Corrie has done that, and Grandma would be very happy for her.

Sharing a birthday with her great-grandmother created an unbreakable bond between Corrie and Grandma Knox. From Corrie’s birth in 1975 to Grandma’s passing on July 29, 1990, just one month after Corrie’s 15th birthday, they celebrated every birthday together. Not a year passes now without Corrie reflecting on her great-grandmother and the enduring connection they share. Even though her great-grandmother is in Heaven now, the bond remains as strong as ever. Grandma Knox lives on in Corrie’s memory files as her great-grandmother and birthday biddy. It is a unique and rare blessing reserved for the few who are born as a special gift to their great-grandmother. Today is the 117th anniversary of Grandma Knox’s birth. Happy birthday in Heaven, Grandma Knox. We love and miss you very much.