Waiting for Momer

You're almost here.  Not too many journeys these days can be measured in months but that's how long you've taken to get here.   Your mom and dad were so tickled to give the news of you to me for my birthday.  That was back in August.  I turned 50 on the same day I knew about you.

Since then we've talked about you whenever we've talked.

Your cousin Tess, she's sleeping upstairs right now, will be happy to hold you when you are tiny and dress you and read you stories.  She reads your brother stories right now.

Your big brother, he gave you your name, is pretty sure you can sit on the couch next to him but not so sure you will be allowed to watch movies with him.

Your Uncle Noah would just like to meet you.  It's not often we get a chance to meeting someone brand new.  His girlfriend Abby wants to meet you too.

Of course your Aunt Sarah can hardly wait to have a little girl to take shopping.  Don't ask her to dye your hair though.  That's off limits for both you and Tess until you graduate from high school.  (Which is the same deal I made with Sarah a long time ago.)

Your Grandpa is sleeping on the couch right now or I'd ask him what he will say to you.  Probably something totally unsentimental and silly.  You'll like him if you sit still enough to figure him out.

Your Aunt Day is probably reading or on facebook.  Your cousin Izzy is sleeping, I hope.  She just broke her arm playing on some piece of equipment.  That makes three broken arms so far.  I think we can stop now.  I am sure your Uncle Pete is where he needs to be and so are Zoli and Matt.

Your beautiful mom has knit you everything you need...a blanket and a sweater and tiny shoes and even a soaker.  Your dad fixed everything up just right in yours and Zannie's bedroom.  Tess helped hammer the pegs in Zannie's dresser so you could have the one he was using.

We have lots of animals for you to play with.  There's Lucy and Ricky and Gizmo and Franklin who live in my house and Uly and Zoot and Kujo who live in your house.  Abby has a cat but I don't know its name.  Oh and Tess has a fish named Scully.  Izzy has a dog named Luna (Uly is staying with her right now) and chicken and a cat.

On this day, the day when you were almost here, I went to work and your Grandpa went up north with his friend Gary.  Your Aunt Sarah is a little sick with a cold and Tess was a great help around the house.  (This does not always happen but Tess really wants Congress to approve her promotion from Puerto Rico to DC.  Zander is still somewhere around Guam.)  Your Uncle Noah and Aunt Abby are in San Francisco doing their best to be late for your arrival.  Your Aunt Day posted a link about Shakespeare's new image. Your mom and dad waited and waited and waited.  If you were coming by train or plane or bus, they would be the two with their noses pressed against the window.

For you, Momer, we gather the family (which is the title to my favorite song) and welcome you home.  

Here's a kiss from me to you, Momer.  

Love,

Grandma

The Last Time I Saw Alice

Alice lives in the hole in my brain. She pops out every now and then to remind me that once upon I time I believed in Once Upon a Time. She says 'Jump in. The water's fine!' But enough of that. I have to give her props every now and then so she doesn't go squirrely on me. That would not be good.

Prince Zander and Princess Tessa are great pals with Alice. She tells them secrets. She tells them where the treasure is. She whispers secrets.

Princess Tessa says "I don't need a coat." But Grandma makes her wear one.

Prince Zander says "I want to play with cars!" But the cars are in the house and Grandma won't go get them.

Alice keeps the memory of this day. It was chilly, but not too cold, to throw rocks in the lake. Prince Zander's fingers are red but he still wants to pick up snow. He might even have taken a few bites. Alice isn't talking about that.

It's a sunny afternoon. So nice to be outside and not hustling to get somewhere warmer. This is all before Princess Momer was dreamed. The bikes were ridden for a while but the lure of the water proved stronger than laps around the driveway.

I remember. I remember laughing and trying to keep them both out of the water and thinking what a great day.