Tuesday, February 25, 2020

The Fat Lady Has Not Sung


There are always surprises to be had, and that is OK.

Our lives are divided into sections: childhood, adulthood, career, possibly parenthood, maybe grandparent, and then, old as dirt. I have gone through them all and as I like to say, I am still standing. Each phase has brought its blessings, and what was difficult is often muffled with time.  Old brains tend to do that. There is nothing sweeter, though, that when you think something is over, and it isn’t.  I am going to have a new grandbaby tomorrow, a little girl named Scarlett Mara Rose. It is a wonderful surprise and my heart is so full. I have six terrific grandchildren, some of whom are in college and the others are not far behind.  I have tried to give them my presence, my time, my wisdom and all my love.  Now there will be a new life in mine, a new child to hold, a new love to have. She will not get all the years that I was able to give to the others so I will have to pack a lot of kisses into the time that I have with her.  

I have been doing a lot of crying lately over things that I cannot control, but now there is joy again, precious, wonderful joy!

59 comments:

  1. Congratulations! And somehow, I think lots of kisses isn't a bad thing!! ;)
    Cat

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  2. That is WONDERFUL news. And what a lovely name she has to grow into.
    Hugs.

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  3. Oh my goodness, not just a surprise for you, I imagine. I too have a little one in my life again. I revel in it and joy of joys she considers me the best of playmates. I've found there are many things we can do together which conserve my energy-like games where I get to lay on the rug tee hee. Very sorry to hear about the tears-I'm with you in spirit.

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    1. Laying on the rug with a baby sounds delightful. Susan; getting up is the hard part.

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  4. Oh, how lovely! Congratulations to all! I can imagine your deep joy and excitement, and the thrill you will feel when you first see her.

    I understand how this energizes you. When our daughter and her family moved far away a year and a half ago, I felt strangely adrift. They unexpectedly moved back here in late fall of 2019 and we have been seeing our little grandsons fairly often. It gives me a feeling of purpose again.

    All the best to all of you, Arleen.

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    1. How wonderful that your family has moved back home, Jenny. I remember when you wrote about it and what a hard time you were having with it. I am so glad everything worked out well and your grandchildren are near you again.

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  5. What a joyful surprise for you. I don't have any children or grandchildren, but my husband left me a large family and I feel that joy too when a new baby arrives. I'm so happy for you.

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    1. Thank you, Inger. I did think that part of my life was over, but now I can look forward to making some new memories.

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  6. What a wonderful, happy post. Welcome to the new baby, and congratulations to you. Such a lot to look forward to.

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    1. Thank you, Boud. I am happy and when I see her tomorrow, I will be very, very happy.

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  7. Hi, Arleen!

    Your happiness is mine, dear friend, your joy my joy. What a thrill it must be to know that you will soon meet your new grandbaby. With a name like Scarlett Mara Rose, she already has a lot going for her, and she will surely learn a lot from you and be shaped by your influence. May Scarlett be blessed with a long and happy life and the benefit of having many years to know and love her fine grandmother.

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    1. It is a thrill, Shaddy, and I am tickled pink. Thank you for your good wishes.

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  8. Six blessings and now a chance to cherish another precious little one! And what a lovely name. May you And Scarlett Mara Rose have many lovely times together.

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    1. Thank you so much, LC. I look forward to all the wonderful times with my new granddaughter and wonderful family experiences.

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  9. This is wonderful and you will be kept busy for many years.

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  10. Congratulations on the new granddaughter! May we see a picture when she arrives? I'm sure she will be beautiful.

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    1. I have no doubt that she will be beautiful; her mom is in every way.
      Thank you, Jennifer.

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  11. How nice for you. I fear our crop of grandchildren has come to a halt, but we're happy with the six we have. I don't suppose we'll live to see any great-grandchildren, but that's OK. Congratulations to all involved,

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    1. One never knows, Cro. I was sure that door was closed, but today I will hold a new family member. My oldest granddaughter is 21, so just maybe,I will get to see another generation.

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  12. Well number 7 - Scarlett - is going to have one wonderful grandmother - who will give her - her presence, her time, her wisdom and all her love. Lucky for you both. Prayer for a wonderful birth. sandie

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    1. Thank you so much, Sandi. I hope for the time to get to know this little girl.

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  13. Thank you, Colette. We are still waiting for something to happen.

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  14. Wonderful news - there is nothing like the young to energise us. Sorry about the tears but, hopefully, they are now in the past. Congratulations.

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  15. Congratulations! Yes, the Younger Grands... and then when Great Grands come along... don't have as many Years with us but we can attempt to pack as much Love into that precious Space we might still have left, as is humanly possible! Children bring such Joy... and often, when Life is most difficult, their infectious and Pure Joy sustains us and brings us back to how Carefree Childhood Joy is, regardless of circumstances surrounding any of us. Children skip... laugh a lot... live more in the Moment... being around that Positive Energy can be so invigorating and replenish us when we feel depleted by Life and it's Issues. I'm looking forward to Posts involving this New One who is Fresh from the Father!

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  16. My sincere congratulations, dear Arleen. I have 4 grandchildren, ages ranging from 4 to 15. Each time I see them, I get this amazement that life has progressed this far. Youngest son(around 1980) enjoyed dropping in on his Grandmother, my momma, on our evening walks. She would get all the news of his day then, as we strolled away, Momma would say, "G'night, honey!" He would answer from Norma's shoulder, "G'night Honey!" These are treasures one never forgets. I try to be as loving a grandparent as my mother was, but Norma's better at it.

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    1. I am sure you, Geo, and the wonderful Norma, are terrific grandparents. We have learned about your heart, kindness and superior brain through Blogger and I know that your grandchildren are truly blessed having you two in their lives.

      I never had grandparents and there were geographical issues with my own children and their grandparents. I am so fortunate to live near five of of my seven grandchildren and to have long visits with my two California grandchildren yearly and to be a meaningful part of their lives. I hope that, with whatever time I have left, I can add something to Scarlet’s life. I have a feeling that she is a stubborn female like me, since she has not arrived on time and is making us wait for her birthday.

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  17. I think love for one's family, and especially the grandchildren, comes from a bottomless pit. You can never have too many grandkids! Hope all goes well for Scarlett and Mum!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s oddly overdone Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. You put it perfectly, Bazza, a bottomless pit of love. I think that not living with each other contributes to that.

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  18. Oh! How wonderful, Arleen! I'm so happy for you. Bestow as many kisses, hugs and love possible. I love the chose names for the new bub, too.

    Tears flow freely with me, too...I'm a big softie...always have been.

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    1. Thank you, Lee. I have found that the older I get, the more emotional I get. Tears happen at the drop of a hat.

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  19. How wonderful! There's a picture on the wall behind me, along with the words, "A baby is God's way of saying life should go on." I hope your new grandbaby has lifted your heart, so you can put the tears behind you. (I'm sending you a great big virtual hug.)

    So Scarlett decided the "due date" was just a suggestion, eh? Well, I hope she's made her grand entrance by now, because she's got a whole big world of love awaiting her.

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    1. Still not here, maybe today. My daughter isn’t keen (such an old, old word) on having a leap year baby, but I kind of like it.

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  20. Congrats to you and the whole family. Right you are we have ups and downs, and different stages in our lives. I'm not sure where the line for old as dirt is from mature....perhaps it keeps moving, lol. Popped in from a mutual friends blog, always enjoy meeting new blog mates. Do swing by for a visit. Again Congrats, I hope the happy news offsets whatever has made you tearful of late.

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    1. It does keep moving, Sandy. As long as I am above the dirt, though, it is a a good day.

      We are still waiting but it looks like her arrival will be tonight or tomorrow. Of course, I said something similar earlier this week.

      Thanks for coming over to visit. I liked your posts very much, but couldn’t figure out how to follow via blogger.

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  21. What wonderful news. Congratulations! X

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  22. So happy for you. What a beautiful name. Welcome to the world, sweet Scarlett! I know you will be loved.

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  23. My gr-babies are a mixture of ages. My oldest is a girl who will be practicing driving soon. Her sister is not far behind. But our 4 gr-sons are in the golden years of 6 mo. to 8 yrs.

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    1. Being a grandparent is the happiest role in life I have ever experienced. Now I have a new, beautiful baby girl, and my heart was so full when I saw her face yesterday. Another wonderful adventure awaits me.

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  24. Oh what a lucky baby, to have such an enthusiastic grandmother--I got a bit misty around the edges, just reading your posts...

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    1. It is wonderful and even more so when I thought it was never going to happen for me again. I love surprises and I think I grew 5 years younger when I held her in my arms for the first time.

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  25. I am sure by now you have a wonderful new baby in your life and that you are showering her with love and hugs and kisses. Lucky baby!
    You are right- the passage of time brings sorrows and joys and we have to look for the joys and pray they outweigh the sorrows. xo Diana

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    1. Yes, Scarlet arrived a few days ago and she is perfect in every way. That expression, “Good things come to he who waits”, is true.

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  26. Congratulations on the birth of Baby Scarlett Mara Rose! What a strong and beautiful name which means she is destined to speak out for what she believes in and accomplish great things like her grandma. I'm sure you will have many wonderful years together, but if it sets your mind at ease, you can always write or record your words of wisdom to her. It would be an excellent gift for all of your grandchildren and you already have a head-start with your blog. I hope the rest of your tears are happy ones, as you have many people who love and care about you, Arleen.

    Julie

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I am more than tickled pink to have a new little girl in my life. I like your idea and will think about how I will do something on that order.

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  27. Congratulations! New life is such a joy! I hope you enjoy your new little one to the full.

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    1. Thank you, Jenny. Being a grandmother is such a great joy in life.

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  28. I do love her name. She is a sweet baby and everyone is very happy.

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  29. Dear Arleen, nearly three weeks have passed since you posted this joyous news and only now am I reading about it and rejoicing with you. How wonderful for you and your family to have a new child began her journey with you beside her. Children, I've always thought, renew our hope in possibilities. Suddenly the abstract word "love" is given flesh and blood and we can see and hold love within our arms. I am so happy for you. May the two of you enjoy many wonderful moments together. Peace.

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    1. She came into the world during the worst of times and although I can’t see her in person because my husband and I have isolated ourselves, we get to see pictures and videos and they give us great joy.

      Take care of yourself, Dee.

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  30. It is a struggle right now to stay positive, but I am doing my best and am working outside because spring has come early and there is much to do.

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  31. Through the wonder of modern computers and phones, you get to see your beautiful new grandbaby. And wonderful doesn't even come close, does it. I'm so pleased for you, but probably not nearly as pleased as you are =)

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    1. Yes, I am very grateful for some of the technology we have today. It allows us to make friends from all over the world and dear people in our lives can appear on our screen in real time with just a click.

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  32. Precious joy. 😊 Congratulations!

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