Mauve
Please Help yourself to a cuppa and a Pecan Sandie cookie…
because today’s muse is very special guest post by a favorite writer and friend of mine…Julianne P. Joyce
Some time ago, I shared some thoughts about my children. I quoted a saying that was often used by my Mom and Mrs. Casey: “Everyone thinks their ducks are swans.” Well, that was then and this is now.
When I married, I loved my husband, completely. I was sure that I discovered an exclusive love, a one and only. Eleven months later, our son was born. Yeah, this was the “take a bullet for you” kind of love. My one and only love became my two and only loves. Then our daughter was born – our beautiful baby girl. My capacity for love was exponential. Amazing. Then, our baby boy – the last of our family. Surely, my heart would explode.
The phone rings at 8:30 a.m. on February 26th – “Hey Mom, whatta ya doin?” Going to get my haircut. “You may want to swing by Lutheran General when you’re done. Bridge’s pains are 4 min. a part.” What? Oh my God, how did this happen so fast? Not the pregnancy; him growing up, being a husband; my gray hair; his maturity; my forgetfulness; the increasing calm in our house; the independence, but the holy sh– I am going to be someone’s grandmother.
We hunkered down in the waiting room. Father-to-be comes out to say things are starting to move along. He takes a 10 min. break – watches some basketball, has a snack and disappears through the automatic doors. At 4:30 p.m. the doors swing open and now the son/husband/father emerges – it’s a girl 6 lbs. 14 oz., 18 ½ inches long – Maeve Charlotte! By the smile on his face, there is no doubt a true Swan has been born, and no doubt that he and his wife have just discovered the “take a bullet for her” kind of love.
I am smitten. This perfect little peanut who has her mom’s beautiful hands and her dad’s feet, has shown me how little I knew about love. She hasn’t spoken a word but I can say with absolute surety that she will be kind; strong; smart; a good cook; independent; sensible; spiritual; caring; funny; kind; graceful; athletic; hard working; compassionate; charming; and will possess a huge capacity for love. Yes, we are silling people, having droned on for years without the wonder or magic that shook our worlds on 02/26/2011. Every day since has been pure joy, filled with a blossoming miracle named Maeve.
Julianne P. Joyce
More posts by Julianne:
Oh my. This is so lovely. The picture is so sweet. Congratulations Julianne P. Joyce on the newest member of your family–you feel very lucky now and I suspect Mauve will feel lucky for having you as her grandmother for her whole life.
Thank you for sharing your joy–
Ah thatnks Geri, I so appreciate your kind words. It’s all easy when it comes from the heart. Little Maeve has certainly stolen ours!
Congratulations on the very special birth and arrival of your gorgeous grand daughter Maeve. You described love so perfectly, we just don’t fully understand our capacity for it until our children arrive and hopefully, grandchildren too. She is a very special little girl and I have no doubt she will be everything that you have described because she is truly and unconditionally loved by her beautiful family.
Thanks Ant – you’re wonderful!
Beautiful! You brought tears to my eyes with that familiar “take a bullet” kind of love. ♥
Thanks Stevie!
You struck a chord in every mother’s heart! What a simple, yet fantastic way to express the kind of love that is so often inexpressable. It just IS and we as mothers know this. There aren’t enough exceptional words to identify it with all the vast glory it encompasses. Congratulations on the birth of your first grandchild! You, my friend, have put down on paper (so to speak) the truest explanation of a woman’s love for her family that I have ever read. Bravo! <3
Wow, thanks for your very kind words. We Moms are in a very elite group. God bless.
I am so proud to know you. You are a gifted writer who expresses so eloquently your most sincere feelings. I filled up with tears when I read this because I know you well and this is only a tenth of the love you really feel for your family. Maeve is blessed beyond measure to have you as a Grandma. This post will live on and be a treasure for her someday. Love You! Nancy
Shit Nancy, you’re going to make me cry. You are too sweet.
A grandparents love is so special. I was very close to my grandparents and my kids grew up close to both sets of grandparents. They still tell stories of their adventures and time spent with Grandma and Grandpa.
Now, my daughter is due in 3 months so this post speaks directly to my heart.
Thank you for sharing!
Liz, good luck to your daughter. You are going to love being a grandma. Thanks for your touching comments.
Congratulations to you Grandma…and welcome to Maeve. It’s obvious she’s one very lucky little one to be an addition to your fine family!
Thanks Dawn!
Beautiful story, beautiful photo! I’ve heard that grandparenthood is different from parenthood; fortunately, that’s going to be a LONG way off for me. Still, it’s nice to hear it expressed so lovingly!
Ahh… I can’t help shed a little tears.. what a beautiful story! And Congrats to proud parents and grandma! I love the photo too! Beautiful! I so love the quote “Everyone thinks their ducks are swans.” I have two “swan” and one will start her first day in school and I already sobbs ucontrollably during the orientation. That’s a kindergarten by the way… 🙂 I can’t picture myself on collage day!
Wow. After 23 hours of labor, 10 of it hard and pushing for 3 just to have my precious son vacuum extracted from me, my mom turned to me after my then-husband handed her grandson to her and said, “Thank you.” As if I had done it all for her. Grammas are so so special.