Admittedly the best 4-letter word is LOVE, but for me a close second is NANA. My heart melts when I hear those little footsteps in the morning padding down the hall with that little voice calling calling, "Nana, Nana, where are you?" I'm on Day 7 (Day 4 on my own) of staying with Briggs and Haddie, and every day is a new discovery of how incredible Nanahood can be.
- Haddie (2) asking for tickles and then directing me how to tickle and what to tickle next
- Briggs singing "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" (how many adults know the words?) or "Ode to Joy" while he is in his room supposedly taking a nap and Haddie in her room singing "Cheese Like a River"
- Slipping my jeans off as I get ready to take a nap and having Haddie ask, "Nana, do you have to go potty?"
- Listening to both of them recite all the sounds of the alphabet
- Watching them soak up Disneyland (yep, I was pretty tired after that one)
- Sharing an ice cream sundae out and watching Haddie wipe off the table when she spilled
- Telling me "Good job, Nana" when I finished dressing myself
- Having them ask, "Nana, hold me" (almost as good as having my hubbie ask me)
- Hearing them pray before meals and at bedtime
The main downside of living overseas is missing all these moments which happen many times every day. I have honestly been worried the kids wouldn't remember me between visits. But, boy, was it special when I got off the plane to see them running towards me each holding a pink rose and yelling, "It's Nana!" To all my peers who live close to their grandchildren, I am truly jealous.
Memories flood back as I watch these little munchkins and see snatches of familiarity of my own children at that age. How could 25 years have flown by so quickly? And isn't it remarkable how the traits their parents had at that age (both good and bad, I might add) perpetuate into the next generation. Perhaps the second most rewarding thing about Nanahood is watching your adult children raise their children with those values you held the highest. Things you wondered if they would ever really "get" but hoped would stick---a love for God and family, the need for loving discipline, demonstrating good manners, caring about others. It makes me realize God's faithfulness in spite of all my shortcomings. My "quiver" is truly full.
