Gran's Visit....

So my Gran came to dinner for her birthday.  I spared no expense putting together something that I thought would please her palate.  All of my effort was to be truly rewarded to say the least.  First – I was out until late late on Friday because my usual stop for happy hour became an all night rendezvous when my friend Hazel called me and begged freakishly, in fact, almost in a harassing manner, for me to stay so her husband could join Brian and I.  We stayed.  OUCH!  Saturday came along with the headache and nausea that too much drinking gives even the most seasoned of us.  Blah!  Not only was I a bit under the weather but Kennedy had an all-day competition!  It took until about 6 that evening for me to feel relief from the previous night and I still had 6 hours to go before I would be home again and laying on my sweet pillow in bed.  However, Kennedy’s team won grand champions so I couldn’t be anything but overjoyed for her (on the outside anyways).  I climb into bed and close my eyes only to open them what seems like mere seconds later when morning comes and I must prepare for Gran’s visit.  This is when I realize I haven’t bought her a present yet.  Off to the store I go.  Grab the presents, forget the wrapping.  Oh well – the Macy’s bag will do because the card I got ROCKS!  Run home and for the next four hours I am cooking my @ss off.  Menu:  Appetizers: Tomato Basil Goat Cheese crudités and gourmet cheeses w/ crackers; First course: Mango prosciutto salad on mixed greens with lemon vinagarette; Second course:  Pesto stuffed chicken with roasted tomatoes and Onions served with a white wine sauce and stuffed mashed potatoes.  Dessert:  Chocolate Mousse with Vanilla Cream and Raspberries.  Yes I was a bit obnoxious with it all but I always want my gran to feel special.  Well – did I ever know how special she felt after dinner.  Reader – I could go through all the crazy things she said individually like when she said that my ex convict, drug dealing aunt had been through “so much” or when she said that I was so blessed to have such a hard working family while I was the only one standing in the kitchen sweating my ass off for her;  However it was one comment in particular that made me realize that growing as old as 85 is probably not going to be the goal I set for myself in the future.  While relaxing in the living room after dinner my gran and I are chatting.  I ask her to share some memories with me – things like her most embarrassing moments or something she was especially proud of.  This is when my gran looks me straight in the eye and says:  Renae – Sunshine – you will realize some day that memories are only for yourself because no one really cares.  The truth is that no one thinks about anything but themselves.  They do not care about your memories at all.  People are just selfish and that’s the truth.  Then my gran proceeded to say she was tired, but was there any more of that chocolate mousse left before she goes?  I gave my gran more chocolate mousse.  I walk her to her car and hug her goodbye, tell her I love her, blow her a kiss as my aunt drives her away…..and as I turn to walk back in the house I think to myself “looks like white castle is going to be serving the dinner for birthday #86!”  While what she said made me sad I knew it was coming from an 85 year old woman who truly didn’t mean it.  She knows that I love her and I know that she loves me.  This was a test of the crazies.  I passed.  And of course I’ll start planning the next dinner we invite her to.