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Monday, December 16, 2013

It's never about you.



The holidays tug at me with two passions. One tug is to do nothing at all except cook one traditional meal hopefully shared by all my family members together. Another tug is to become Santa and indulge everyone with their most secret wish. One side of me dreams of wish fulfilling, and the other, about being one with nature, simplifying life to its most important life source.


A different perspective will win this year.

We are anticipating the arrival of a new grand  baby in a day or two, and our lives have been directed exclusively toward making that arrival the focus of our celebration. Everything we purchase or think about will be for the new baby. I'm dreaming of baby songs, and baby names. I'm looking at my house through different eyes too. What do we need to do to make it baby-safe as well as elder-safe. The baby will become a toddler in no time, and while we won't be able to chase him around the house with ease, we want to elevate and lock all material that might be dangerous, secure doors and slippery surfaces, eliminate as many nuisances as possible. We're back to our own days of child-rearing; we are back to the most exciting times of our own lives.  We know how difficult and exciting those times were, and we want to be of help anyway we can.

This will be our second grand child. Our first one will celebrate her eighteenth birthday this month. She'll be off to college next fall just as the new grand baby begins to toddle. She'll need help with her college tuition; the new one, help with diapers.

When life is all about you, it becomes worrisome.
When life is about others, it becomes opportunities for growth and for hope.



26 comments:

The Broad said...


Today at this moment your post is surprisingly pertinent. Since last evening our house has been invaded by three additional grandchildren -- one is a toddler, age 2. In some ways I have enjoyed the moments, the laughter, the energy -- in others I feel grumpy and wishing for more quiet. Your post reminds me of what is really important! Well timed, Rosaria!

Amanda Summer said...

Beautiful sentiment and a timely message. Goddess bless as you await this new arrival♡

rjerdee said...

Sounds ever so much like Christmas JOY!!! Congrats, Rosaria...Happy times are ahead!!!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What an exciting Christmas gift -- and a new opportunity to give!

Your words are so wise re living life for yourself vs. having the focus on others.

This holiday will be very special for you -- and that's so exciting! My! very best to you and your family in the days ahead

Rob-bear said...

Ah, the expectation of new life. A very Christmas sort of thing! A time of rejoicing.

Sadly, when life is about others, it can become very worrisome, too, as well as being about opportunities for growth and for hope.

Blessings and Bear hugs!

Journeyin' Lady... said...

What a joy to be having your second grandchild after 18 years! Enjoy every moment.
My three youngest will be here after Christmas for several days. I am gearing up my energy!

Linda Myers said...

When life is all about you, it becomes worrisome.
When life is about others, it becomes opportunities for growth and for hope.

Thanks for this, as we head into the last week of days getting shorter.

joeh said...

It's nice to space them out.

Congratulations!

Helga said...

Oh, Rosaria, I am so happy to hear the wonderful news! There is nothing so heart-warming, touching and wondrous like a little baby in the house. Much joy and blessed moments to you and all your loved ones.

Brian Miller said...

smiles...enjoy that little one...they keep us young you know...and def make us look at things differently...and not just for safety...smiles.

The Odd Essay said...

How wonderful to be having another grandchild after 18 years.... and how thoughtful of you to "baby-fit" your house to accommodate a toddler. You are fortunate to live close to your kids and grandkids.... and it certainly sounds like you enjoy them.

Rosaria Williams said...

My daughter Pia and her husband Jason are having the baby. My other grandchild, Jasmine, eighteen this month, is the daughter of my eldest son Scott and his wife Thizar. Next post I write will be all about my grandchildren.

Tom said...

It's a wonderful life with a new baby in the house ... enjoy!

Helen said...

The circle of life ... for all. I couldn't be more thrilled for you, Grandmother Rosaria!!

Catalina Aldridge said...

Congratulations Rosario! So excited for Pia & Jason. :)
Also can't believe Jasmin (i think) is already going to college.
Exciting news for a wonderful holiday.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria .. how great to read you're going to be a grand a 2nd time ..

Enjoy - cheers Hilary

Hilary said...

Oh congratulations, Rosaria. How lovely for your family to welcome this new little life. I will look forward to seeing photos of the new little sweetie after he arrives.

Wonderful, true quote.

dianefaith said...

Congratulations! It's so wonderful to have children around. My 5-year-old grandson was here with me for the last two nights. I am both worn out and blissed out. He is my heart.
I am happy for you and a little envious that you'll get to hold a newborn very soon.

Suz said...

joy

the walking man said...

Congratulations Rosaria. We got the news of our 2nd on the day the boy got his engineering degree. It does change perspective.

troutbirder said...

Prayers for and best wishes upon the arrival of your new Grand. And at a very special time of the year. How wonderful!!!

Maggie May said...

There's nothing quite like the birth of a grandchild or even having grandchildren. Part of you living on! Its amazing how this becomes apparent as they grow up!
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Vagabonde said...

Congratulation Rosaria and to your children on the happy event. It will be another exiting time for you and them. I hope you will find a name easily – it took us a long time to find names for our grandchildren – names that sounded good in English, good in French, good in Malayalam (the official language of the state of Kerala, in India) and name that meant something to all the families … that is why it took a long time to decide!! Maybe that is also why each grandchild - all 4 of them - have 3 names and a family name.

This is wonderful happy news from your blog.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"We're back to our own days of child-rearing; we are back to the most exciting times of our own lives."

I loved these lines. I feel like I just got out of those days, yet know my time is coming to have little ones around again (in a few years.) Just when I got to put out glass objects that wouldn't shatter from a waylaid football or some other game my troop of men invented on a moment's notice! Anyway, so it goes. Life - always interesting and never what we expected. Someone should have told us.

Rosaria Williams said...

Thanks, everyone. The baby arrived on time, as anticipated, and he and his mother are doing great. He has been named after his two maternal grandfathers: Joseph, Domenico. "Nico"

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Beautiful philosophy...

Tessa~
("Olden" in upper NYS)