Today is a special occasion here on Meet Me in Montauk, as frequent commenter (and my dear mother) Peg is turning 80. I could opine for hours about how caring, smart, and funny she is, but instead I’ve decided to turn today’s entry over to four people who know that firsthand: her grandchildren.

Her youngest grandkids (and my daughters) Fiona and Sophia wrote the rest of today’s blog entry, while their cousin Daniel wrote and performed the song (with an assist from Steely Dan), and Daniel’s older sister Madison created the accompanying video. Enjoy!

From Fiona:

I’m so glad I get to call the titular ‘Peg’ my grandmother. I have had the pleasure of growing up with the strongest, smartest, funniest, and most beautiful grandmother a person could ask for. Whether we are talking about the newest Jason Statham action movie or our shared love of 1963’s Charade, I know an amazing conversation is at hand.

With a grandma like her in my life I will never fail to hear an amazing story or laugh at a hilarious joke. Most importantly, I will always feel the most love and support a granddaughter can. I love you so much, grandma. Happy birthday!

From Sophia:

Once, when I was eight or nine, Grandma told me a story about yelling at a woman who implied Grandpa shouldn’t be parking in a Veterans Only parking spot. She told me how she shouted the woman down, saying “He served his country!” When I heard this, I thought it was the greatest story ever told. It was like my very own grandmother was a superhero in an action movie. Now that I’m (relatively) grown up, I know for sure that she is.

Not many people can say they have raised a family, worked with inmates in prisons, potty trained not one, but two puppies, and genuinely enjoy a drink that is at least 90% hard liquor. Most of us can only pretend to be this cool. I am very lucky to be able to say that I know such a woman, and even share some of her DNA.

Thank you, Grandma, for showing me what a strong woman looks like. Not only as a grandmother or a mother or a sister or a friend, but as an individual. Your humor and grit have entertained and inspired me. You’ve always been there to save the day, for all of us. I don’t believe we’ve ever been hard pressed to find a powerful woman in our family, but there’s no doubt you were the first. I hope eighty treats you as well as you’ve always treated us.

I love you, Grandma! ❤