Sunday, September 12, 2010

Grandma




As I'm reading my friend's blog post about her beautiful grandmother (check her out at writespell.com, you won't be disappointed), I'm reminded of my own beautiful grandmother.

It's 1am when my phone chirps, "Call from...Mommy." "Grandma's in the hospital. They won't tell me anything. Her lips were blue this morning. She fought be all day about coming here. They let me go back to see her, but it wasn't a good time.

"Donna, I need you."

Then at 6am my phone chirped again. "She has pneumonia and congestive heart failure. They say she doesn't have much longer. She will die here in the hospital. Donna, can you please come?"

I went outside as I sat on a conference call with my mom and daughter, holding each other across the miles. 4 generations, separated by a continent, but brought together by Ma Bell.

In the cool of the rain-drenched dawn, I took a walk and remembered. Grandma is MY special family member. She was my pen pal when I didn't have one. She was the first woman to give me the gift of yarn, as she taught me plastic canvas needlepoint. A gift that I've always treasured as I've made Kleenex box covers that looked like birdhouses, or specially designed with Ariel, the little mermaid, for my little girl; as I've made napkin rings, monogrammed coasters and matching place mats for my mother; as I've designed a book to hold all of my princess's earrings. she is a big part of who I am.

Grandma was there for me when my kitten, Wildfire, was run over by a car. She bought me a stuffed cat with 3 kittens Velcro'ed to her tummy to console me (a hefty $30 toy back in the early 1980's).

But I think my funniest memory of Grandma is when we were visiting her home in Fresno, CA. Mom, Brother, Grandma and I were all playing Monopoly (we always played board games when we visited). Next thing Brother and I knew Mom was exclaiming to Grandma, "What ARE you doing?"

We looked at the board. We looked to Mom. Brother said it first. "What? That's a valid move."

Grandma looks Mom straight in the eye and apologizes, "I thought that was the table leg." Turns out Grandma was rubbing her foot up and down Mom's leg. We laughed so hard!

I can't seem to be there physically. At least not yet. But my heart is at Lake Havasu, AZ, right now.

Thank you Nicole. Your memories of your grandmother are so full of love and joy. It brought my own memories to life. I pray your grandmother is doing better.

God bless all of our Grandma's! They really are our special angels.


******Addition*******
On Saturday, October 9 at 3:00pm PDT my family took the time to light candles and revisit memories as we honored Grandma. She's in Heaven now. Riding her Harley in the wind. No helmet necessary. Her smiled that would light the room is now lighting our skies.

We all miss you, Grandma. You meant the world to so many.

(A special "thank you" to my little girl who read this post at Grandma's memorial today. You helped me be there. And I love you so much. Thank you for your sacrifice.)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Swimming Lessons

My daughter was never into the water. Even has a newborn, she would scream as soon as I set her into the little tub on the kitchen sink. Some people just have an aversion to getting wet. I've learned to respect that. She at least trusted me enough as a youngster to teach her how to float on her back. I know if she needed to, she can float until help arrives.

My son is a whole different book. We nicknamed him "Tadpole" when he was an infant. He never could get enough of the cool, wet stuff. His lips would be blue and still he would insist that the bath go on (and on and on and on). So, as soon as he celebrated his first birthday, we took the plunge and started swim lessons. All told, he has had about 6 months of lessons over a period of 2 years. Later this summer, he should graduate to the next level of swimming without mommy in the pool. He loves it and looks forward to it every week.

Yesterday, we had our first scare. Well, it was scary for me, anyway. Little R was getting ready to jump into the water. I was waiting for him about 18 inches from the wall, ready to catch him. I had just given him the signal that I was ready, that he could jump, and he lost his footing. Now, jumping into the water is nothing new to him. As a matter of fact, it's his favorite thing to do. But he's always had the safety of Mom's arms to land in. He had the common sense to at least try to get out away from the wall (or his guardian angel pushed him). He went into the water about 12 inches from me. He went under the water. I scrambled to get to him, my heart stopped. I absolutely hate how you move in slow motion in the water. I got to him and he was already kicking and scooping his way to the surface. I reached out to him and he was twisting his body to swim back to the wall. When he was safely back in my arms he smiled at me and said in a super-happy voice, "Swim underwater!"

Yes Baby, you did. :)

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Weight Loss And The Toddler

Or ...."How Does One Exercise With A Toddler"

I started a new challenge this week. I'm always up for a little friendly competition (just the testosterone speaking). On June 1, I joined 13 other women to see who could lose the most pounds, the most inches, and who could exercise the most in a 3 month period.

I figured that this would be a little difficult with it being summer and the Ice Cream Man coming by every Thursday night and sometimes on Sundays. But with that "fat person" swimsuit starting to show its age, and a new one in my future, I figured I could do it!

What I didn't anticipate was the big huge road block named Little R! Obviously I can't exercise with him around as he will just want to "tackle" me or jump on my back. So, June 1 I made the decision to work-out with my "Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred" DVD (brand new never been used) while Little R napped. "FAIL" I have no idea where I've put the DVD. So, that naptime was wasted looking for a DVD that has literally disappeared.

I decided that we would go for a walk after the nap. Nope. Little R says that he is a big boy and refuses to ride in his stroller. Then, as we are potty training, we go 2 houses away and have to hurry home for the potty.

June 2 came, another nap wasted looking for that DVD. I'd say the dog ate it, but I don't have a dog. Oh well, I'll work-out after he goes down for the night. "FAIL" again. I was too tired and in bed an hour after he was.

June 3 (today!) I came to the decision that I WILL not waste time on that DVD. It's gone. I'll see it again when I'm a size 10 and can see my toes. Instead, I'll go high tech and work out with my Wii Fit.

They say that the best of intentions...yada yada yada.... Of course, Little R didn't nap. So another day is done and I still haven't exercised. At least I can say that I resisted the siren call of the Ice Cream Man.

Maybe tomorrow I'll hire a babysitter while I work-out. Hey Big Sis!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A Good Cry

Some of my friends posted this on FaceBook today. Kellie Coffey's "I Would Die For That"

I will admit. I was afraid to listen. But I gave in to my curiosity. Throughout the video there are women holding signs. I don't know what brought back more bitter-sweet memories. The words to the song or those signs.

The 1st few are about teen pregnancy...How many times did I hear my teen-aged daughter come home to announce "So and So's water broke in Chem today," while I struggled to become pregnant? How many times did I hear "So and So had an abortion." And asked God "Why them and not me? I would have kept him/her."?

Then came more signs..."Would be a great mom." (Again I asked why, as I learned of women drowning their babies on purpose or forgetting them in the backseat of the car on a summers day.) "Trying for 4 years." (Try 10 years.) "InVitro $10,000-$15,000 per attempt." (And insurance doesn't cover enough, if any.)

The end of the song shows signs of joy..."Going to tell husband I'm pregnant" "Heard baby's heartbeat for the first time" And my personal favorite, the one I can most closely relate to, "Adopted a child with AIDS".

My little slugger doesn't have AIDS. As a matter of fact, I am blessed with an extremely healthy child who was adopted 2 years ago and who is the light of my days. My TREASURE! My blessing from God.

This song is sad to me in so many ways. It brings back painful memories. But it reminds me of all the joys I've got.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Welcome

After much thought and deliberation, I've decided to join the world of Bloggers.

Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother) was told that blogs are so last season, but I agree with him in saying "Nah Ahh!"

So, why do I call myself a mother of two only child(s). My daughter was 20 when her baby brother was born. She was married and living away from home. So after having raise my little girl and seeing her off into the big world, I am now raising my little boy.

This will just act as my place to relax and reminisce as I raise my 2nd only child. I hope you enjoy my travels.