Happy 7th Birthday to my granddaughter.
I called to wish her a happy birthday. No response.
Bill dropped off the gifts. Door was closed in his face.
Then I received a follow up text.
We tried Ava.

Ava

 I picked up your birthday and grade school graduation cards today. I found myself standing in the aisle of my local CVS reading all the different cards for a granddaughter. It should not have been difficult picking a card but it was because I felt like I was buying a card for someone I did not know. You see, I have not seen you for several years. Yes. I periodically am in contact with your mom and she tells me little things about you from time to time. However, I have not seen you since you were about five years old. The last time you spent any real time with me was the summer of 2011 after a vacation with your cousins Shaun and Nikolas at Dutch Wonderland. You were four years old. Prior to that you spent most weekends at my house. 

Though you were removed from my life, I never forgot you. As a matter of fact, I think about you everyday. I do not grieve as I once did in the early days but I would be lying if I did not say there is a sadness within my heart I carry everyday. In my mind, you are still four years old. That is the memory I have. But you are not four years old anymore but a young lady nearly 14yrs old. I imagine you to be the sweet little girl I once knew but older. I do not know if we will ever reconnect in the future though I hope we do. But I would leave that decision up to others including yourself. So much life has been experienced and lived and there will be questions. Questions, I will answer to the best of my ability without hurting anyone in the process. Sometimes, decisions are made with the best intentions but still full short of the mark. I truly believe that some of the decisions that were made in the early years were made for you out of love and protection. Or at least I hope so. I will always love and I hope one day you seek me out.

Love Mom Mom

The Best Part of Being Her Grandmother

 

I Love You More Than Sunshine

 

Grandchildren, Husband, Family Life, Books

 First and foremost, My granddaughter Ava (age 10y) who is in the 5th grade received Straight A's on her report card and her teachers reported she is a sweet well behaved girl. I am really glad her mother contacted me last night with the update. Congrats Ava! I am so proud of you.


My grandson Nikolas will celebrate his 13th birthday on November 30th. I cannot believe he will be a teenager.


Speaking of teenagers, my grandson Shaun who is 16yrs old has a high school football game tomorrow morning (Thanksgiving Day).


The littlest granddaughter Aubree (age 2y) will be visiting today and the plan is to take her to the mall for black dress shoes. I am taking her to see "The Nutcracker" ballet this Christmas season and we need shoes to match her dress and dress coat with matching hat.

My husband surprised me with Roses on Monday.

On Tuesday, the furniture came for the "Man Cave" a.k.a. family room, office, music room. Bill picked out the furniture. He wanted something that was comfortable so comfortable furniture he received. Both sofa and chair are recliners.

I forgot to mention another book I recently read prior to my current book "The Last Republicans" (which by the way I am almost finished and highly recommend). The book is "Sisi: Empress on her Own" by Allison Pataki. I am not sure how factual the book was but it did not give a good representation of the Empress of Austria who was also Queen of Hungry. The book depict her as self-absorbed and self-centered who did not have a close relationship with her two oldest children however suffocated and micro-managed her youngest child. The book also depict her as a person who was never at peace with herself nor content and settled. I came away not liking the character. I would be curious to read another viewpoint on her. 

Grandchildren are Everything

Elmwood Park Zoo

Aubree's first trip to the zoo.