#1140: Happy 100th Birthday to my Grandma

No show today, as we celebrate this centenarian!

RECORD STORE TALES #1140: Happy 100th Birthday to my Grandma

100 years ago, Doris Ann Drumm was born.  With a name like “Drumm”, I suppose it’s no wonder that my sister and I grew up to be so musical!  In fact, my grandmother can trace her family line to Alsace-Lorraine, and musicians on her side of the family.  As for her, even though she likes singers such as Michael Buble, she had no problem buying me Ozzy Osbourne and Van Halen tapes when I was a teen.  Later on, she’d just write me a cheque for my birthday.  “Buy one of your CD records,” went the inscription inside one birthday card.

The pandemic was hard on my grandma.  In the first three months, we lost my Uncle Don Don.  That was difficult for everyone, but especially her.  She still lived in her own home at age 96, and losing Uncle Don Don left her lonely.  Due to pandemic rules, we couldn’t hug her when we went to visit on her back porch.  At age 96, you simply don’t want to take any chances.  Though she survived two rounds with Covid, she got depressed and we nearly lost her three times.  The last time she came so close, I took half the day off work and wrote her obituary.  That’s how bad she was, February 23 2023.  Fortunately now she’s now in a good senior’s home where she doesn’t miss meals or medication.

Today, she’s happy living in her new home, and making new friends.  She still misses her old house, and her old cottage, but she recognizes that it wasn’t sustainable.

She likes to sit with us out in the courtyard of her building, in the shade, enjoying the weather.  She enjoys watching the Blue Jays on TV, even when they’re not doing so well.  She loves to talk!  All she needs is an ear to listen.  I enjoy bringing over my cottage videos, and watching them with her.  She hasn’t been to the cottage in a decade.

I’m so happy we made it to this incredible milestone.  It seemed like it was not going to happen.  But it did and here we are!  She’ll be receiving a letter of congratulations from the King, and family is flying in from Alberta to celebrate.

People always told us that grandma looked like the Queen.  To us, she is the queen!  Leave a happy birthday wish for my grandmother, and celebrate with us on this special day!

17 comments

        1. Oh my God Michael. You wouldn’t believe her reaction. They gave her the King Charles letter and she said, “This doesn’t mean anything to me.” LOL. She was happier with the flowers and plants she received! Letter from the king, so what? LOL

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    1. Thanks Johnny and yes that’s wise advice. I can tell you one thing. When my grandfather was alive, he once told me a story about the second world war that I will never forget. He did not talk about the war much.

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  8. What a heartwarming and beautiful tribute to your grandmother, Mike! Reaching 100 years is an incredible milestone, and it’s clear she’s lived a rich, full life surrounded by love and music. I can’t help but smile at the thought of her buying you Ozzy Osbourne and Van Halen tapes – what an amazing and supportive grandmother! It’s also so touching to hear about how she’s overcome such challenges, especially through the pandemic. It sounds like she’s made a wonderful home for herself in her new senior’s residence, and I hope she enjoys many more happy years filled with good company, sunshine, and Blue Jays games. Happy 100th birthday to your grandma – and to the Queen of your family!

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    1. Thank you very much! We are now preparing for her 100th Christmas. Hard to imagine. It will be a low key Christmas, but she will get the turkey dinner she wants. She wants a turkey dinner more than any gifts this year!

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