BITTEN BY THE LOVE BUG
Nothing compares to the awe and wonder of being
a first-time grandma by Barbara Dow,London, Ont.
WRITER’S BLOCKO
ur first grandchild is coming
for her very first overnight visit
tomorrow and I’m all in a twit-
ter. I want to put a big sign in
the driveway and add some balloons so
that she will feel welcome. I want to tell ev-
eryone I meet, including the clerk at our
local grocery store, “Guess who’s coming
to our house and staying overnight?”
Am I really the same person who lis-
tened with resigned amusement as my
friend talked non-stop about her first
grandchild on our daily walks a few years
back?
I saw “lovely little Lauren” (that’s what I
call her) only two days ago and I am already
looking forward to seeing her again. I can
hardly wait to hold that warm little body in
my arms, to feel her soft cheek against
mine and to feel that downy-like strawber-
ry blonde head snuggling down into my
neck. I want to feel once again the wonder
of new birth as I gaze in awe at those per-
fect little fingers. Were our children really
that tiny when they were born?
I often wonder what this little one is
thinking as she searches my face for so
long, with the occasional little smile form-
ing at the corners of her tiny rosebudmouth. Is she asking herself, “Who is this
funny looking old lady who keeps telling
me how pretty I am, and how much every-
one loves me? Am I really? Do they really?
And who is this lady who sings those soft
croony-like songs that make me feel
sleepy? My mommy and daddy play loud,
bouncy music for me, not this kind of stuff!
And who is that man she is always with?
How come when they come to see Mommy
and Daddy, they get all teary when they see
me? Are they really my mommy and dad-
dy’s mommy and daddy? How come they
both have hair and my
daddy doesn’t? Boy, as
soon as I can talk, am I
ever going to ask a lot
of questions!”
Yes, I really have
been bitten by the grand-
ma bug. Me, who lists
sleeping as one of those
things that rate high on
my list of hobbies, who
longs for my warm,
comfortable bed as soon
as the clock approaches
11 p.m., am actually look-
ing forward to getting up
at 5 a.m. and giving her a
bottle. Just think, I get
her all to myself for a
whole night and the next
day to boot! Well, maybe I’m
being a little selfish, maybe I’ll
let her granddad change
her dirty diaper.ABOUT THE AUTHORBarbara was born in Windsor
as one of eight children. At the age of 20, she married
her husband Ted and they moved around a fair bit
due to his employment. Their family grew to include
three children, four grandchildren, three step-grand-
children and one great-grandchild. After
retiring, Barbara and Ted enjoyed camping
and travelling. They have been fortunate to
see a lot of this great country from coast
to coast. The couple celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary in May.50 More of Our Canada SEPTEMBER 2019