Fifty Days of Gratitude: Days 19 & 20

Today, our grand girl turned one. That's three hundred sixty five days of smiles and discoveries and magical moments. All around. Out of everyone in her orbit.

Let me tell you about her: she is such a happy child, and enjoys everyone she meets. She likes being outside. She is, as her mama calls her, an "aggressive pointer", pointing out the things that are of interest to her. Curiously, in our home, she loves our fireplace mantle. She points at it and we take her to it and she closely inspects each item there. She likes music and books, too. And being in water. Her laugh is the very best and when she isn't happy, the bottom lip comes out and a dark cloud crosses her face.

Let me tell you about her parents. They are such good parents. Their delight in her will help her build a strong sense of herself and help her believe in herself in the years ahead. They have been diligent in raising her with a a combination of instinct and information. Mostly, they provide her with love, stability, discipline, and constancy - things that every child needs to thrive.

Let me tell you something about her Opa, whose life experience has not included infants. The love he has for her is absolutely a marvel. While with her, he is 100% present. While away from her, he replays his time with her and wonders aloud about her future. What will it be like when she talks? What will she enjoy as she grows?

I've written about this before, but to tell you about myself as an Oma, I have to tell you about my own Nanny. Her steady presence, her encouragement and affirmation, and her unconditional love serve as a template for my own relationship with grand girl. Because of Nanny's love for me, I knew of my own self worth. It was not dependent on what I did or did not do, what I earned or lost, or when I was successful or when I failed. I was loved because I existed. Because I was. From those beginnings came every ounce of self esteem I have. Because she believed in me, I could believe in myself.

For the record, my Papa, who had also never experienced an infant in his life until me, loved me with the same delight and boundless love our grandgirl is loved by her Opa.

Today, I am so grateful for the incredible gift of being an Oma to this precious girl and for the grandparents who taught me how.