Nora Lynn

On October 8th another beautiful soul came into this world.  Practically perfect, she took my heart, including pieces of it that I didn't know I had.  Tiny, tiny fingers and toes, a sweet round nose, I was completely unprepared for this love.  This grandbaby girl love that truly doesn't compare to any other love I have known (and I've known a few). 
There are no grandparent rights, legal, or otherwise.  Every moment I have with this grandchild is a gift.  The mistakes, real or imagined, that I made with my own children need not be made again.  I am not new to this game, overtired or overworked will not apply to me.  Every moment shared is an act of faith by her parents that I will only build her up, put her first, fill her heart and the hearts of subsequent grand babies, with joy.  And this is a roll I do not take lightly. 
When I think of my own grandma and mom, (lofty goals, indeed)  I won't try to imitate them, but certainly emulate a few of their traits.  Already, I have big, big plans with this little gal.  And in the beginning, I imagine those plans will include a little Gordon McRae playing in the background while I tell her amazing stories of where she came from and how many people love her.  I will tell her how wide her families are, not bound by blood but by a tremendous love of her parents that now includes her.  Blessed with many great grandparents living, I will tell her about those already gone.  I will tell her about the big dogs that would have loved her fiercely all the while trying to convince the little one here that this baby is what a best friend looks like.  I cannot carry a tune or keep in step but that will not diminish the songs we will sing or the moves we will make. 
And the list goes on and on.  If I am lucky, if I am blessed to get a whole lot of living with this girl and those that may come along after her, I won't take it for granted.  I won't waste my days with idle work when there will be a Nora to learn from and love.  I won't take for granted that her mom and dad will bring her to my house instead of a daycare.  I won't take it for granted that my husband knows this worth is far greater than the paycheck I would bring home.  I won't take it for granted that my grandchild is near me, not across the country or the world, that the stars aligned to keep them close to us. 
I was pregnant no where near my parents, there had to be drives across country and flights across the Atlantic for them to meet my children.  Watching the little person I made make a little person was really quite amazing.  I tried desperately to be like my mom and not offer unsolicited advice (and I failed miserably).  And my mom, being a neonatal nurse, was wholly qualified to offer advice!  And now, watching these two kids with their kid, I know they need no real advice.  They know how to love her with their whole selves and everything else they can google.