Wednesday, Sept. 23, was a special day for Bettina Stridde from the Tynan community. On this day, Bettina celebrated with a small family gathering in her home.

Taking her out to eat for her birthday lunch at Shorty’s Place in Beeville were her children and their spouses, Woody and Barbara Stridde of Victoria, Patsy and Marvin Crutchfield of Kenedy and Michael and Sharon Stridde of Calallen. It was a special treat to have granddaughter Jackie Stridde from Victoria join the group.

Later, the afternoon was filled with conversation, laughter, coffee and desserts and many “Remember when” and “My first memory” stories. Later in the day, her grandson, Scott Stridde, stopped by after work to spend time with his special grandmother.

In addition to the gathering, Bettina received many cards and phone calls all during the day from friends, other grandchildren and other family members. She says she feels so blessed to be surrounded by these wonderful people who remember her with their many acts of kindness every day and who remembered her on her 93rd birthday.