It Never Gets Old

The truth be told, it never gets old. To hear them cry their very first cry. To see their eyes when they see you the very first time. To hug them close and breathe them in. To feel the softness of their skin on yours. The list is infinite and yet it never becomes redundant. I never tire of, nor do I ever lose track of the miracle each tiny baby brings into our ever growing family. This time I had a first of my very own. A first that I still can't believe was mine, but it's true and it's so beautiful. I got to catch Hazel. No, she didn't fall no, the midwife didn't drop her. I got to reach down and slip her ever so gently from her mommy. I was the firsts person to touch her, I was the one to lay her on her mommy's tummy, I was the one to deliver her. The midwife asked me if I wanted to help. How could I say no? At first I was a little nervous, but as the time came closer all I could think of was having that quick bonding moment before handing her off. Heather, the midwife, didn't make me gown up or glove up for which I was grateful. I just got to reach down and slip her out skin on skin. I held her up and time skipped a beat at the beauty of the moment. Gifts come in so many forms and yet this one may have been one of the best gifts God has ever allowed me. I cannot wait until Hazel is old enough to sit on my lap and I can tell her that I was the one to help her out of her mommy's tummy and meet her first before anyone else. Thank you Lord, thank you Jazzie and Brian and thank you Hazel for giving me the best day ever!

Pather, Pa, Papa: Three Words That Bring A Smile To My Heart

Here we are, most of us anyway, a few more babies belong to us now, a new fella for one of my girls, a husband finally for another, but for the most part we were all in one place. Thomas came into our life when Sarah was 6, Jazz 4, and Backle 2, there was an awkwardness for a very long time as to what to call him. They all settled on Tom and that was the norm. My heart used to ache to hear the word "Daddy". I called my own dad Daddy and I knew what it meant. Shan called him Dad , but somehow it just left my ears longing for more. I can't remember when it all came about. This new name, this new word. I think it was sometime after Iris was born and he became Papa. My ears liked this new name, my heart too. My girls had a Papa and he was so very special. Papa was a big name to live up to and Thomas was doing his best. I still missed the familiarity of Daddy. Then one day it happened he became Pather. It was Becky that named him. I know she thought about it for quite a while. And I suppose if the truth be told she is still the only one who calls him that. I don't know if she knows the gift she gave to us all. To be the one brave enough, thoughtful enough, silly enough, to give him a name all his own, she gave everyone else the permission to call him something besides Tom. Now, for the most part, he is Pa to the big girls and Papa to the babies.

It was quite an undertaking, to romance a woman with so much baggage and I am not just talking about the girls either. I watched him when he didn't know I was looking. I could see the fear. Was he wondering if he was cheating on his own little girl with my babies? I suspect yes, he was. Yet, he didn't voice his concerns. There were hard, hard times and I would be lying if I said there weren't, but time heals wounds and I think that many a scar are near a faint trace of what they started out to be.

His life and outlook changed the very minute Iris was born, she brought with her into this world healing for us all. She brought with her a road paved with love and forgiveness. The softening of hearts and a new start. How amazing the love for and of a child can be. The permission to cry happy tears and not feel silly as they fall, the warmth that radiates from your core at seeing their first accomplishments, the kisses on boo boos, and the protectiveness at anyone who even thinks to harm and the touch, that soft skin next to yours and you know that now all is well. Though Tom and I never brought any children into this world together we did raise four beautiful daughters and Iris, she was the bridge that brought it all together.

While he has be away working the girls call everyday to see how he is. They miss him. And as Jazzie readies herself to bring our ninth grand baby into our family the lines are blurred and all but vanished as to who belongs to whom. They are all just our children and I am honored to hear the these three words, Pather, Pa, Papa. It may have been a rough journey getting there, but now that we are here what a smile me heart wears. Happy Pather's day my love, you are the best!

Skinny Marie AKA Fat Fat Fat Head

I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure. My portion more bountiful that I could have ever imagined. This is my youngest grand baby. Papa calls her Fat, Fat, Fat Head, which was kinda cute considering she does have a, well, ummmm, a, oh heck, a large head. Sorry baby. Fat Head was okay for us big people to say knowing that such a moniker would go away when sweet little MaKenna Kay was old enough to know that Fat Head was maybe not a flattering name even though it was used here as a term of endearment. Her big sister Olivia, however, thought Fat was a good name for her baby sissy and took to using it full time. So, her mommy come up with a much better name. She is now, and will be forever, Skinny. Hmmmmm... My favorite movie of all time is Pretty Woman. If you are familiar with this great cinematic work of art, then you know in the begining there is a slain prostitute named Skinny Marie! I can't help myself. I keep calling her Skinny Marie! It just goes together perfectly. So, to you my sweet Kenna Kay, know that your Ranny Nana Nene Mimi, means no disrespect but, you will now and always be my Skinny Marie. Sorta like my little Livie, is my precious little Livery Sue. Don't ask, it just happens. Those sort of things just fall out of my mouth and become the names I call my grand babies so, here's to you my sweet sweet babies, Mimi, Bird, Skinny Marie, Livery Sue, Mina, A, Hanky James, Thatty and to my baby on the way, I am sure that your Nana will find just the right name for you too.