Happy Birthday Floyd!!

Today, August 8th, marks the 90th birthday of my step-grandpa Floyd! Happy BIG birthday!

Floyd married my Grandma Stoller on May 12, 1996. (First of all, let me personally tell you that there's nothing much more strange than having your dad sit you down to tell you your GRANDMA, at age 75, is getting married!!). However, they have such a sweet story and I've been thrilled about it since the beginning.

Floyd and Grandma have known each since they were young. They each married their spouses, Floyd to Louise, Grandma Ione to Grandpa Earl. They lived most of their married lives just a few miles apart. They went to the same church, raised their kids in the same school. Some of their kids were even friends and in the same 4-H group group growing up! Later in life, Grandma and Floyd each lost their beloved spouses to lengthy illnesses. Both of them had been married for over fifty years. What a testament!

A couple years later, Floyd realized he needed someone to make coffee and cook good meals for him, and Grandma needed someone to enjoy all of her delicious cooking, so they got married! Ok, so it probably wasn't quite like that, but the point is, they were both in good health and alone, why not have a companion to live the rest of life with? We agreed! I'll never forget her wedding - my grandma was like a giddy teenager! They've been able to go on a few trips together, and more importantly, support each other as they grow old.

I had the really great privilege of living with Grandma and Floyd for about six weeks this summer. It's one of those things that if the flood hadn't happened, I probably would not have had this experience. Grandma and I spent a lot of time organizing old family photos, she and I stubbornly argued who was going to mow the lawn (I won once, she tricked me in winning several times), Grandma insisted on making eggs and toast for me every morning, and I asked both of them lots of questions on their lives. I learned quite a bit!

All three of us were greatly affected by the flood, and it was good to go through that with them. Grandma, of course, lost the house she built with Grandpa. Floyd still has his farm in that area. He moved into Grandma's house when they married, but kept his farm. He would go down there every day to tinker around or keep up the garden, and we would often have Stoller gatherings at his house because it was big and convenient. Floyd's farm also went underwater. Fortunately, he was on the edge of the water and a little higher, so he only got about 2.5 feet of water in his house. But that's enough to do plenty of damage. The house had to be pretty much gutted so stop mold from growing, but with the help of his church and others, he's going to be able to fully restore it.

Floyd's House....




Things I Learned While Living with Grandma and Floyd:

1. While eating breakfast at 6:30 - 7:00 a.m. seems VERY early during the summer, it's good to all sit down and eat together.
2. You don't need television. There's lots of interesting programs on the radio.
3. Family history does matter. Learning how your grandparents met, fell in love, and married is important.
4. You can get all kinds of blackmail stories on your dad. :)
5. No matter how stubborn your grandmother is, you should always win out when it comes to mowing.
6. There's plenty to talk about and similarities in life even though you're 60 years apart.
7. Grandmas do have a way of making simple food better.
8. Spending an afternoon with a group of elderly ladies should be viewed as a treat and treasure.
9. Your grandmother knows you much better than you think. After all, she's known you in your entire life.
10. NEVER, EVER play Scrabble with two people that have SIXTY more years of writing, speaking, and reading experience than you. It's just not worth it, unless you happen to get a 42 point word like "zap." Then you might have a fighting chance. :)

Love them both!