My brother-in-law sent along a copy of my brother's speech at grandpa's service, and it was just beautiful. It's funny how the memories my brother chose to highlight in his speech are the exact same ones I would choose: 7-Up in plastic cups, Lincoln logs and wheelchair races in the basement, games of Uno in the dining room. When I think of these memories, they are so powerful that even the smell of them comes to mind. It makes me happy to think of them, even if that happiness is tinged with the sadness of knowing they are over. The funny thing is that I think it has been almost two decades since we last had a wheelchair race, maybe 15 years since our last Uno game, but it is just now that I am saddened at the thought that all of that has come to a close. The three of us -- my brother, sister and I -- are truly blessed to have built such a wonderful repertoire of positive memories with our grandparents. It is wonderful to feel nothing but love for Grandpa after almost 28 years of knowing him. He had such a kind soul, and I think anybody who knew him would attest to that.
I am saddened, too, to think that he never got to meet Mateo. My parents brought him pictures but of course that is not the same. Thinking back on my childhood and the role my grandparents played, I am determined to keep Mateo in my parents' lives just as much (if not more) than I was with my grandparents. I am confident that my mom and dad -- who are kind-hearted in the same way Grandpa was -- will have their own rituals and memories to build with my son. I look forward to discovering what those might be.
And because life moves on, and because Grandpa would have liked to see asmile on his great-grandson's face:
Teo is going through what I think is his second big growth spurt, and he is changing so much every day. He spends more time than usual both sleeping and eating, and last night he slept 8 straight hours. He has started growing new eyelashes, the hair on his head is beginning to fill out, and his eyes seem to be getting bigger. A few days ago, he propped himself up on his shoulders during tummy time for the first time, and then looked around as if to say, "Well, goodness, this gives me a whole new perspective." Yesterday, I pulled him up to a sitting position using his hands, and he kept his head fully upright. He still is a major grump whenever he wakes up, but is otherwise smiley and curious.
So one life ends and another is just beginning. That is the cycle of things, of course, but it is a pretty powerful experience, on both sides.
for the love of god, those arm rolls! i count five on each arm. i need to get me one of those. countdown to snack-time in new york!
What a beautiful post, Lee Ann! You really do have a way with words, a simply lovely way of expressing yourself and your feelings.
It sounds like you do you have great memories to treasure, and your grandfather will look down on you knowing that you're making new memories with little Teo, to share with all of your family.
He's just the CUTEST THING! There's no other word...