NANA LOVES YA!!!

            All the time I see things that illustrate or talk about how wonderful it is to be a grandparent…they’re all true!!! I’ve been a nana for over 18 years. I’m fortunate enough to have four wonderful grandchildren, but today I’m going to write about the eldest…Haley Autumn. There hasn’t been one single stage of Haley’s life that I haven’t enjoyed immensely. True, as with her father and her uncle, I wanted to slow her down so I could enjoy the various stages for longer periods; but, also as they say, time marches on.

          When she was born, I was in the room. Her first photo with her father was taken by me just ten minutes later. I remember how elongated her head was from the birth canal, how much hair she had and how she squawked over her entry into the world. After that, whenever I was with Haley and left, I always said, “Nana loves ya.” (As I now do with all my grandchildren.)

          Halloween was barely two weeks away and what a cute punkin she made when she came trick-or-treating. Of course, she got some candy via her mommy’s milk. She grew so fast, walking alone at barely nine months. I remember the first time we got to have her overnight. She slept in between John and me. I woke up and looked across her sleeping body at John. Both of us smiled, and I know we were both amazed that this little miracle was a part of us both.

          John and I were frequent visitors to see Haley, to have dinner and a movie with her folks, and sometimes just to marvel at how fast she was growing and how smart she was. I’m sure no other grandparents have those feelings…hah!!!

          When she was old enough, Haley and I began a Christmas tradition borrowed from friends. We went to see the Nutcracker every December for six-plus years. As part of the tradition, Nana took her shopping for a nice dress and shoes. Nana still remembers that last shopping trip. Haley wanted a pair of blue shoes that exactly matched her blue dress. Nana wouldn’t buy them because they had like five-inch heels. Haley understood at the end of the evening because the small one-inch heels Nana did purchase were making her feet hurt like hell. I think that was the last time Nana was able to purchase a dress for Haley.

          When Haley began school, I would take her school clothes shopping. She always knew I had a $100 budget; and while she always tried for something just a bit more, she was always happy with the choices she made. I don’t think we’ve been clothes shopping together for years, probably since she was ten. Haley has very particular tastes (good for her) and buys her own clothes now. I, of course, don’t need any clothes since I’m retired and have a closet full which is more than plenty. Still, I’m grateful for those little sessions over the years.

          I’ve plenty more Haley stories which I’m sure to share with you as time passes, but there was a point to this one which is how our relationship has changed in those 18 years. We’re still close, still talk, she shares great stuff with me, and most of that sharing occurs over a meal. And, that meal sharing was my goal with those Nutcracker events. I wanted us to end up in a nice restaurant at some point that served something besides hamburgers and French fries.

         

At Arnies 2/2/20

This past Sunday, I had a Living Social Groupon for Arnie’s in Edmonds. Haley picked me up and we had a delightful brunch. Throughout, Haley talked to me about a variety of topics. She’d flown back to Brookings South Dakota to look at a university there. She really liked the place even though the temperature was minus two. She said the people she met seemed genuinely interested in her and her goals. She talked about her classes at Everett Community College, and how she’s so happy to be through with Meadowdale High School. This girl is a planner (like her Nana), and she’s already made a decision about her current job because her old job will begin anew when the Mariners start playing. She’s also waiting to hear about a job in Montana. If she gets it, she’ll leave in May and be gone the entire summer, or maybe for good if the job lasts into beginning university in whatever place she chooses.

AJ, Ruby, Haley, Angie 12/2019

          I treasure and value all the years, experiences and times Haley and I have spent together. I know she was also Pa’s girl; and while I haven’t asked if she misses him when she visits, I’m sure she does because he always gave her his undivided attention. I’m also grateful her parents, AJ and Angie, have always worked to make sure John and I were an important part of Haley’s life, to always invite us for school events, birthdays, holidays, etc.

          Being grandparents…there’s nothing like it, it’s absolutely great, especially being Nana to a wonderful young woman like Haley…Nana loves ya.