The idea came to me months ago as my husband and I faced the reality of moving away from my hometown and the place we had met and fallen in love. At the same time, some of my best friends made their own plans to explore new roads in their lives, and quickly I watched my tight web of support begin to stretch much further than I was comfortable with.
But here's the thing: life changes. And it's a good thing. The path that my family is on is the right one for us. And the paths that my friends are on are good for them, too. But that doesn't make it sting any less.
So, in the spirit of all that change - and the attempt at accepting it - I wanted to write a series of posts about the people who are in our lives, right now today. The people who have surrounded us and loved us during the best - and worst - times of our lives so far. But, most importantly, I wanted to write about the people who love you, my son. I want you to know all about the people who have been there for you from the start, from my mouth and theirs.
This post feels like the most natural place to start: my mother and your beautiful Nana Amy.
Growing up, I knew that my Mom was special. The older I got, the more clear that became. When I was a nanny at 18, I got in a fight with the mom of the family I was living with because she was failing to live up to the idea I had in my head of what a mom should be. I even have a word for it: SuperMom. That's your Nana. She's the absolute authority on Love and Nurture. She has been my rock throughout my life, and I lean on her and rely on her wisdom now more then ever. Because when it comes to being a mom, I want to be just like her.
___________
Hello
my sweet boy Drake,
It’s
your Nana - your Momma’s Momma.
There’s
so much to say to you!
I
was there the day you were born, for every labored moment of it. Your Momma did SO well. Leading up to that
day, your Momma worked very hard to be sure you grew big, strong, and healthy.
And that you did! She was horribly sick with you but she soldiered on and did
great! Your Daddy was a huge support –
being sure she ate when she could and slept when she could and comforted and
encouraged her during the times she thought she couldn’t take anymore. Then on
your birthday, he stayed right by her side doing all that he could to help you
be born. And Nana was right there too. I
wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
We
were so excited to have a boy again in the family. All your cousins thus far are girls so you
are a welcomed addition into the mix. I
think your cousins will spoil you. Before long though you will be bigger than
your youngest cousin, Ashton. She is
petite and you are not! We call you
Michelin Man because of all your rolls which remind me of your Uncle
Trevor. He was like that too but I think
you may have him beat at this point! But
I love every single roll on you. I cannot get enough kisses planted on you
somewhere. I hope you will not mind that
much as you get bigger. Your Nana loves
to hug and kiss her babies!!
You
are now 9 months old and watching you grow and thrive has been so much fun. At
times you remind me of your uncle Trevor, then your momma and other times, you
are the spitting image of your daddy. You always smile. If and when you ever do
cry, it’s such a surprise to us. You tolerate your cousins, the dogs licking
your face, hands, and feet, everyone kissing on you, tickling you. You just go
with the flow pretty much of whatever is happening around you. Recently you and your parents moved into a
new home. During that stressful time, you were a bit perturbed by all the
constant activity and jostling about but still, such a sweet boy.
You
love your baths which makes Nana so happy as that hopefully means that you are
carrying on the tradition of being part fish.
I grew up a swimmer and so your momma, auntie Becca and Uncle Trevor
learned to swim very early on and to this day, all love the water. Someday, you
and Nana will have a little swim race ok?
The
best part of being your Nana is and always will be watching you grow and change
~ to see the changes from infant to toddler; the boy into the young man; and
then hopefully, watch you grow to adulthood and into the man I see in your
sweet baby face. Your expressions are priceless as you take in and work over
all that your world gives you. I know you are bound for great and wondrous
things by all the thinking I know is going on in that noggin of yours and I
can’t wait to be a part of them!
You
are now a member of a growing, crazy, loud, happy, protective, conversant, very
loving family. We don’t always agree but we love each other fiercely. We laugh
and cry often. We love to play and explore far and wide. We enjoy music,
theatre, reading, writing, arts, the outdoors and so much more. You no doubt
will do the same. You will find your spot somewhere in the midst of all of
that. It will be a blast and quite a ride of that you can be sure.
Know
that to the best of my ability, I will be here for you anytime you need me. I
will be one of your biggest fans. I will be the giver of endless kisses. The
listening ear when you need someone other than mom and dad. The proud displayer
of art work. The keeper of gum and
mints. And lip gloss -though you won’t be interested in that. ;)
I
love you beyond words and time.
Nana
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