My dear writer friend Shelley has always encouraged me to record my life as a Grandma, in fact this blog is a result of her idea in 2007! I have no particular excuse for my one year absence or a good reason for my return today, but I can tell you that it feels really great!
Recently I began following a few new blogs that have inspired me. A lovely lady who lives in a mountain cottage in Australia and a wonderful young female poet/writer in New York City. Thank you Elspeth and Nikki.
This past year has been eventful. We moved last spring from the "family" home of 23 years to a 1920 British Arts & Crafts era beauty. Graham and I celebrated 38 years of marriage and our children are truly not children any longer, in fact they are all managing their lives quite well! We loved a trip to Rajasthan, India this past January that has left me yearning for more. I fell in love with the country all over again. I have gone back to work with the school district for six months and my commute is all of five minutes. My colleagues could not be more patient or kind with me as I try my best to fire up some rather dormant brain cells. I also jumped into a women's travel club venture with an amazing partner who challenges and encourages me every step of the way. We enjoyed two "sold out" trips in 2013: Guatemala and New York City. Peru is our destination this summer.
But this blog isn't about husbands or work or travel. It's about my grandchildren and my relationship with them. "My thoughts about being a Grandma" as the blog names states.
This past weekend we were together to celebrate Graham's 60th birthday. It was such a terrific time filled with some very funny and poignant moments. I don't get the chance to see Sam and Charlotte as much as I would like as they live a few hours away and they have busy, busy lives too. So when we do come together as a family it is always so special and memorable.
None of us know what is around the next corner. We hope and pray for each others good health and happiness but life can often surprise us when we least expect it. It is the tiniest of moments that need to be cherished and appreciated. They are the memories that will sustain us through the hard times.
Memories like this past weekend when we strolled through the tulip fields of the Skagit Valley. Or watching my two daughters spending much needed "girl time" together. Hearing Sam call out from his make-shift fort in his grandparent's bedroom..."Grandpa, I had no idea your 60th birthday would be so much fun!" The memory of the birthday boy on the couch so Sam could have a sleepover with me in the bedroom with the fireplace. Traditions like "cocktails" with Sam and Charlotte that include a shaker, a muddler and a whole lot of love. And the breakfast fruit that went missing because a little girl transferred it into her Easter basket for safe keeping. Then there was the chat I had with Sam about how smart he was and he informed me that one girl in his kindergarten was a bit smarter because "She can do her name in cursive writing!" But my favorite memory from this past weekend has to be the conversation I had with Jen on the phone. She told me that Charlotte burst into tears when she woke from her nap in the car, as they drove into their driveway.
"No no no...not my house! I want Namma's house! Namma's house! Namma's house!"
I will treasure that one.
.JPG)
.JPG)
 |
 |
