Grandmothering doesn't get better

I knew a trip to enjoy the family would be a more valuable experience than a doctors visit for lonely grandmothers depression symptoms. After all, Kate is 11 months old and Michael is almost 3 1/2 and the last visit was Easter. So...what's a grandmother to do? You are right! Eight hours later and I'm feeling hugs and smiles and knowing the pleasure of toys across the den floor and hearing my name with an "I love you" attached. Discussions of fresh corn and whether its' summer flavor is "yum-yum" or "yummy" are serious and a pull and wheeze bug toy create laughter and smiles from ear to ear. Yes, grand mothering doesn't get better.

The role of mothering was fun for me so never, until the autumn of life, did I give thought to the secondary role of grand mothering. Only upon Michael's birth, did I  learn my new role could be equally satisfying. Now I watch my daughter do all the tasks of the "daily necessities"--prepare meals, change clothing, remind about the potty, make a snack, make and feed bottles, play HI HO CHERRY OH over and over, change diapers, correct behavior firmly yet gently, and I ask "did I do my role as well?" How did she learn to put her babies to bed, happy and without tears? How does she teach "thank you" and "yes mam" and make manners seem automatic?

Maybe the answers come from current resources of great baby how-to books, friendship connections and mentoring from friends with slightly older children. Ah yes, this is true...but it also comes from her skill development. Hard work, consistent reinforcement of God's love and rules, sacrificing to be a modern stay at home mom, she's into her full time job three + years and no promotions are in site. Certainly not the easiest choice when money decisions and normal personal wants are pulling from every direction. But the payoff...yes, grand mothering doesn't get better.

A second June joy I treasure is the abundance of garden fresh food. Working on my daily diet to detour osteoporosis, I am eating pounds of fresh veggies. The bounty of spring and summer foods --tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, garlic and purple onion fuels my bones while blueberries, organic pears and strawberries work to satisfy my sweet tooth. Altho, I must confess, my daughter and I shared a chocolate brownie at a wonderful local diner and every bite gave my chocolate craving honest pleasure, almost forgotten. The brownie of the day was a double stack with a creamy ganache in the center. Is that "yum-yum" or "yummy?" We decided to go for both.

Walking, walking and walking. Another detour to osteoporosis. And Lis, my fit daughter, shared a discovery of a new DVD titled WALK AT HOME by Leslie Sansone. It features mile markers for "house walk" and provides energetic direction for weight loss, fitness and health. Tomorrow Lis and I begin our first workout. The inside exercise plan is very appealing to me because it avoids the summer heat. I'll let you know how it goes.

Reading is another passion of my heart and mind. One of the books I've picked up this week is WIRED THAT WAY by Marita Littauer, Regal Press. Focusing on four personality profiles (Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic and Melancholy), Littauer helps the reader identify her personality and gives valuable tips to aid in the complexity of successfully interlacing our personalities. Different chapters focus on friendships, marriage, communication and spiritual life. Littauer helps us see ourselves and how our personality plays against or with others. I'm having fun exploring my own personality fit to family and friends.

Another great read: Summer pushes my novel reading desires and one quick-read author I love is Elizabeth Berg. She had an Oprah book several years ago. I like her because she writes like women think and talk. Consider picking up THE YEAR OF PLEASURES, her viewpoint about the solace found in ordinary things--simple girlfriend talk.

And if cooking is speaking to you, bring in garden fresh veggies, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with lemon pepper and grill. Then decide if they are yummy or yum-yum!?

Remember my comment in a recent blog about unexpected pleasures? Well, "Pearl" showed up on our property and G and I are charmed by her. What a beautiful and peaceful bird. Best of all, she has decided to nest on our porch roof every night. Like children, we eagerly wait for her evening flight in, under the trees and up again, to light and roost by the same window night after night. Yes...unexpected pleasure.

I am blessed through the day when I think of you. Recall God's word:  "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." II Corinthians 3:5

til then,

Alice