Several days ago, my eldest granddaughter celebrated her birthday. She is in her first year of graduate school in another country. Her goal is to be an astrophysicist and teach at the University level. Here is her birthday letter – by e-mail, of course.
Dearest Grand #1,
I hope that on this, your birthday, you were able to do something in addition to homework. Your aunt tells me that the homework load is really huge!
I remember, of course, when you were born. Your aunt was planning to be with your mom and dad as your nanny. So, for months, she was planning what she would take. And, it all came to be staged in my living room. I think you have heard me say – more than once – that I was going to drive to California for the first week or so of your life. And, I was going to drive my Oldsmobile Cutlass station wagon. All of your aunt’s things were going to go into that station wagon for me to take with me. Your grandpapa never did have what we call good spatial relationship understanding. So, he really couldn’t envision how much stuff would go into a space.
When he built the cupboards over the new counter in the kitchen, he could not envision how many flat baking pans and sheets could go into the space that was above the microwave garage. I knew, but he didn’t. So, when he built the microwave “garage” for the really big microwave that we had, he didn’t really know if it would fit – even though I’d measured and measured the microwave to be sure that the space was big enough. Grandpapa always said this – “measure twice, cut once” when he was building things. That meant fewer cutting mistakes! Anyway, he did get the flat-pan cupboard, the microwave garage, and the counters built, and they were wonderful. And, then, when the “garage” was built, he asked, what if this microwave quits, and we have to get a smaller one? What will we do? I reminded him that if a new microwave was smaller, it would fit into the large “garage.”
He just couldn’t believe that everything that your aunt was bringing for me to take to California would fit into the Cutlass. I kept assuring him that it would, but everyday after work, he would walk by the boxes and say, “It will never fit! It will NEVER fit!” Then came the day that the Cutlass had to be packed. I would take off the next morning to see you for the very first time – my first grandchild – a blessed granddaughter!
When we traveled, Grandpapa always brought things out of the house for me to pack into the car because I was always a better packer than he. This car-packing day was the same. Box after box came out of the house. Box after box was stored in the Cutlass wagon. He brought out last box from the house, and I put it into the last space available. Grandpapa was known for making “famous last statements.” And, of course, he said, “Well, you couldn’t have gotten another box into the car!” I then reminded him that I DIDN’T HAVE ANOTHER BOX TO PUT INTO THE CAR. IT WAS LOADED WITH EVERYTHING! – in about that tone of voice.
The drive to California was uneventful. I’d never been on that road before – U.S. highway 8, I think. Lots of hills and valleys. Lots of trees. Some desert, as I recollect. After all of these years, it’s hard to remember.
When I arrived in San Diego, there you were – just the most wonderful human being I’d ever seen in my life. I loved having daughters – but, somehow, having a granddaughter seemed very special – because, it was!
Know that we are proud of you. You have set your goals and are on the way to accomplishing them. Your grandpapa would also have been so proud of you. He loved both you and your sister very much.
As I do.
Love,
GM
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Be safe and be well.
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are encouraged.
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