We would like to wish Polly Traina, AKA our beloved Grandmommy, the happiest of birthdays! 80 years is no small feat!
We are so very grateful to have you as our grandmother. You have brought each of us so much joy, meaningful conversation, and inspiration throughout our lives.
Please click below to listen to our recordings of memories and birthday greetings.
Soren
Abby
Ara
Casey
Axel
Luke
Jack
Peyton
David
Elena
Ramona
Maggie
Kate
Here are Polly's responses to a few of the questions from the grandkids:
How did you and Granddaddy meet?
What does it mean to turn 80?
What is your favorite travel destination?
Did you ever think you would have this many grandchildren?
What do you hope for your grandchildren in the future?
What makes you optimistic for the future?
Lyrics to Polly T, to the tune of ABC by the Jackson 5
Performed on December 31, 2016
You’ve had a bunch of birthdays
With a bunch of memories to make.
When you were just a kid, we know
You sat upon your birthday cake.
Now, now, you have a lot to teach us
(teach us, teach us)
All about the theater
(and ballet!)
Take a break, sit back, relax
All you gotta do is listen to us say:
Polly T
Friendly, practical, and sassy
Today’s your day, here’s a cheer for
80 years
Happy Birthday Polly T
Polly T
Friendly, practical, and sassy
Today’s your day, here’s a cheer for
80 years
Happy Birthday Polly T
Come on and teach your grandkids how to knit
Come on and teach your grandkids how to knit
So we can make enormous stockings too
Come on, come on, come on
Show us how to do a cable stitch!
You’ve been to Turkey and Paree
And lived all across the USA
Everybody knows you build a strong community
In any place you stay.
Now now now can you show us
How to pack to go
To Havana or Fargo?
We know you can do it,
You’re the grandmother we know as
Polly T
Friendly, practical, and sassy
Today’s your day, here’s a cheer for
80 years
Happy Birthday Polly T
Polly T
Friendly, practical, and sassy
Today’s your day, here’s a cheer for
80 years
Happy Birthday Polly T
Does she sit
Post-surgery?
No, she gets up
To go ziplining!
She can talk to anyone!
Knit one, purl two, everyone, come on now
Knit one, purl two, oooh, oooh
Knit one, purl two, everyone--yeah!
Grandmommy’s the best, oooh oooh
If you haven’t guessed, ah, ah
She was married fifty years
Is that how easy love can be?
Grandmommy is eighty
Time to get celebratey!
She was married fifty years
Is that how easy love can be?
She’s gonna show you
How to make a quilt
(nananananana)
And the love on which our family’s built!
Grandmommy is nifty
And now she’s turning fourscore,
That grandmother we adore
So here’s to many more!
She’s gonna teach you
How to make a quilt
If you want to come out
To her, you know
That she will make it easy!
And now she’s turning fourscore,
That grandmother we adore
So here’s to many more!
