Being A Nana

by Deanna

I love being a Mother, I love being a Grandmother, and I really love being a Great-Grandmother.Let's back up just a wee bit. I was married young, (20) becoming pregnant instantaneously followed up 3 years later with baby number 2. I think I was a good mother, with both children having good memories of their childhood, but I think now looking back, I could have been better. I think I am a good Grandmother, at least my 3 grandchildren also have fond memories of being with their Nana and Pop Pop.  Bailey (one of the three on my left) even lived with me for a year What fun we had together, I miss her still.  This photo was taken almost 6 years ago, it's difficult to get us all together now that everyone has either married (Brandon) and left home or their careers took them away.

When these 3 were young they would come to Nana's and Pop Pop's every year a few days before Christmas with just us without parents.  We had great times, shopping, eating out, playing games, going to the movies, but then little by little those times spent together began decreasing by one....Brandon first with college and jobs, then Bailey with college and working, and finally Brie was the last one to come to stay with us at Christmas.  Now all are graduated from college and all are living the life of adults with jobs, responsibilities and families.

But now, we have a new generation that is in progress. I'm sure you have heard me mention my great granddaughter, Matilda Mae. Oh the joy she brings to us all. It's been many a year since we have had little ones around, since my youngest grandchild is 24. Tilly, as she is called is a bright spot in each of our lives. Look at that smile, that's pretty constant all day long.

Her grandmother, my daughter, Lisa, is as charmed and in love with her as we all are. It's just too bad that she lives a good hour and half to 2 hours away from us both. I would love to stop in and eat breakfast with her, or walk her to the playground, or drive her to pre-school. But because of the distance and time constraints it's just not possible for either of us.

When we do get together, I don't know who has more fun, Lisa or Tilly. And then her grandfather, Sam, my son-in-law is just perfect for Tilly. He is a big kid himself. Look at them together taking selfies.....

Lisa even admitted to me that she likes it when we girls are by ourselves, it gives her more time to be with Tilly. When Sam's around, Tilly is drawn to him like a magnet because he has the inventiveness that children love. He gets down to her level, both mentally and physically, what a gem of a grandfather. My sweetie was like that with our 3 grandchildren. He would hoist them on his shoulders and march around the house singing at the top of his voice. "stout hearted are the forest rangers..." from Little Mary Sunshine. They love him just as Tilly loves Sam.

And I am pleased and thrilled to announce that Tilly's Mom and Dad are expecting baby number 2 which is a boy for sure.  I've known for awhile, but they asked that we not publicly announce until all was well.  See below for how they announced it on social media.

Please notice the baby bump. Hilary is about 22 weeks pregnant and doing well. Another lucky one who doesn't get sick during pregnancies, unlike so many.  Baby boy, we won't know the name until he is born, is due in October, about a month after Tilly turns 3....perfect.

Tilly is super excited that she will have a new baby brother that she can help with changing diapers, play with, read to, sing to. I wonder when she will begin the "is he here yet?" Please notice the red boots. A new addition to the always changing, never boring, always accessorized wardrobe.

Life continues on, and I am so blessed and happy that I am still here to enjoy and love our ever growing family. Oh, by the way, I'm still Nana to this next generation, easy to say, easy to remember.

"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies."   ~Rudy Giuliani

One Very Special Day

by Terri

Here at Focusing on Life, our posts are not always about photography. Sometimes they are about life and I think if I went back through all the posts over the past five years, I would find that most of them are about life. During good and hard times, happy and sad times, difficult and joyful times, we share our lives here with each other and with you.

Today I want to share the story of one of the most joyful events of my life. My oldest son recently married the love of this life and it was a beautiful and love-filled day shared with family and friends.

So many special moments! Both brothers were attendants.

 

My middle son is on the left and my youngest on the right. Somehow the photographer missed getting a photo of the three of them together (what??)

My grandson was an usher and escorted my 90-year-old mother to her seat before the ceremony.

My 5-year-old granddaughters were flower girls. They had the best time and looked like little angels!

Seeing my mom dancing with her first born grandson was a moment I’ll never forget.

 

And being with all my handsome men dressed up in tuxes is always a thrill!

 

All day I was basking in the glow of my love for all of them. You hope from the time they are born that they will someday find that special person to live their lives with and when it happens, there is no describing the happiness you feel. 

I know there can be mixed emotions when a child marries. You’ve heard that old saying:

"A son's a son 'til he takes a wife, a daughter's a daughter all of her life."

Being one of three girls who have always been close to our mom, I wondered if this was true, if having all sons meant they would grow up and marry and that would be an end to the closeness we shared. Nothing could be further from the truth! It’s more like the other old saying,

"You’re not losing a son, you’re gaining a daughter."

The daughter that I gained the day she married my son has been a daughter in my heart for many years. She and Greg met in high school and began dating seriously in college. After graduation, Liz moved to Dallas to take her dream job in the buying program at Neiman Marcus. Greg visited her there often and her family was here so she came home to visit frequently.

Finally they decided that Greg would move to Dallas and we figured in a year or so they would get engaged but even though that didn’t happen, we could tell how happy they were together, how perfect for each other.  They lived in Dallas for several years before deciding to move back to Phoenix. Of course, we were thrilled! A few months later they surprised us by getting engaged and we couldn’t have been happier. Liz is a girl that you love the minute you meet her and I had already loved her for many years. Now she was officially becoming my daughter! She is sweet, loving, and considerate to a fault and she loves my son! It’s written all over her face.

Exactly what every mother dreams of.

So seeing these two people I love pledge their love to each other, sharing the day with my beloved family and close friends, well, it was one of those times I will never forget. Just going through photos for this post made me wish we could go back and do it all over again!   

That’s my sister on the right next to my grandson. I’m so grateful to her for driving my mom down from where they live in the mountains so they could both be here on this special family day. It couldn’t have been more perfect and it’s one I will never forget.  

Thanks for letting me share this one very special day with you!