Grandbaby Blues: hot chocolate

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Missing My Grandson

Going about my morning preparations for work, I encountered leftover evidence from my grandson's weekend visits. I was rattling around in the kitchen, preparing my lunch for the day, and as I opened the cabinet door, mini marshmallows came tumbling out. Memories of our weekends together came tumbling along with them; snuggling in bed together, morning chatter, starving for breakfast, sipping hot chocolate overflowing with mini marshmallows. My heart overflowing with reminiscences, tenderness, and love, my eyes spilling tears, I called my grandson, connecting Arizona and New York with love.

Waiting for my name

When my first grandbaby arrived, I could hardly wait for him to talk, to give me my name as a grandparent. My own daughter called hers, Grammy, or Grandma Betty. Granny would make me feel ancient. I told my daughter I didn't want to be called "Nana". I am not a banana! So I waited. Who knows how or why these things happen the way they do...maybe he just couldn't say 'grandma'. When he finally spoke that magical word that I had been yearning to hear, I was pronounced 'Gubba'. When he's feeling especially affectionate toward me, I am 'Gubby'. And so I am.
Now that my new little granddaughter is talking, she has given me a new name. She calls me 'Gugga".

How Grandbaby Blues Was Born

When my daughter and family moved to New York, at the end of her pregnancy. I grieved their loss. I had been there when my grandson was born, and was grieving the fact that I would not be there for my new granddaughter. I always thought I'd be a part of their lives; b-days, holidays, sports and school events, troubles and tears, joys and laughter. Now our relationship was separated by 2500 miles. I mistakenly thought the distance would effect our closeness. It hasn't. I was there, at the end of the phone line when my granddaughter was born. And I was there in that birthing room at the same time she was born. At the suggestion of her dear husband, my daughter took our family picture with her to the hospital as her focal point in labor. The phone call came in the middle of teaching class. I heard the baby's first cry, along with my fourth graders, who clapped when she was born. My hope for this blog is to share my jouney on this wonderful road called, grandparenting. Come along for the ride. Share your experiences and ideas that help you stay close to those dear ones that bring sunshine to our lives.

Grandbaby Blues

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Missing My Grandson

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