A Gift of Self Portraits

Six Grandchildren, and I am doing OK.

Raising children is hard work, but having grandchildren is perfection.

I have been blessed.



  I have four great kids that have made me very proud, and six wonderful grandchildren who fill my heart with joy.

When I first met Madison (my first granddaughter), I thought my chest would split open from the happiness I felt. She was perfect in every way, and time has not changed that.  She is now thirteen years old, and blessed with a kind heart and a very sly sense of humor. (Of course, she is so like me.)  She takes the maternal role with her sisters and cousins and is the one they all go to when they need a hug.  She is the daughter and granddaughter that everyone would love to have.







Michael, my only grandson is 12.  He was born during a difficult time in our lives and with his birth, things turned around. A terrible car accident had put my hubby in critical care and times were grim.  Michael came into our family a month later, just when all the news started to look brighter.  And bright he is.  He is the leader of the cousins and when he comes into the room, things start happening (so much like me). The girls get all excited, and run to him.  Within minutes, they are all laughing and acting silly and a good time is had by all.   How lucky I am to have him in my life.  He is a love!





Emma is the middle child. She expresses herself in so many ways.  At 11 years old, she is a talented artist, crafts person, guitar player, athlete, and expert on all things of nature.  Since the age of five, she has told us all that when she grows up, she wants to be an entomologist.  She looks at all things with a curious eye, and questions everything (so like me).  Her sense of humor is so quick, and I am always surprised at how clever she is. We see great things in her future. 

















Ruby at 8 is the youngest of 3 girls, and the clown in the family.  She relishes in this role and is full of fun.  She is into physical comedy and if slapstick ever comes back, she could make her mark on the stage.  She has me laughing all the time and keeps me on my toes.  Her stories are hysterical and I have often told her mother that we must write them all down. In this regard, she is so like her mom, Molly, who always cracked me up and made many unforgettable statements when she was growing up herself.  Ruby loves to express herself and when it comes to affection towards her family, she had no equal.  She will tell you how much she loves you every chance she gets.  Ruby just melts my heart. 

Right from the start, who stole my heart,

Ruby it's you.

I think it is because she is so like me.















Sophie and Poppy are the California girls.  They are 7 and 5 and the youngest of my grandchildren.  Of course, in keeping with the California culture, they both began to learn to surf before starting kindergarten.  



Sophie, a clone of her mom,  is inquisitive and has the most wonderful imagination.  She is never bored and could play 18 hours out of the day.  However, she will stop what she is doing to watch a football game, as this is her passion.  It might have to do with the fact that her parents are football fanatics.  However, I think Sophie will soon surpass them in her devotion to the sport.  Two weeks ago, she asked to stay up late to listen to who the teams were drafting this year.  Not your typical 7 year old, she is so bright and happy, and a joy to us all.




Little Poppy came into this world not much bigger than a peanut.  Small in stature (until this year), she steals your heart all the time.  She is her own person, has strong opinions, and is a dancing queen.  She loves her sister and the closeness of these two girls is wonderful to see.  As the baby in the family, she will always have a special place in all of our hearts. 

Yes,  both these girls are so like me.

My life has taken me down many roads, but being a grandparent has been the best journey of all. 


            
Happy Mother's Day to all the worn, weary, rushed, tired, proud and happy moms and grandma's out there.