Today, my lucky number is four

Four years ago today, I became a grandmother.

At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure if I liked the idea of being a grandmother. It all happened very quickly, and I hadn’t had much time to adjust. My 22  year-old son had dated a young woman for only a few months before his announcement that they were expecting. I work in the court system, in child protection, child support, paternity and custody. I know what can happen. I know how it can go for fathers. I have seen the grandparents left in the dust.

But I have to say, I loved this child from the moment I heard of her existence. There was just something special about her. I would have supported my son in any decision he made, but I hoped that they would make a family together and that he would be an important part of his child’s life. I wanted to be an important part of her life.

There was, I admit, a bit of family pressure on him to marry before the baby was born. That’s just the way we did things in this situation back in the day. However, sensible young man that he is, he did not want his child or his wife to feel that he proposed solely because of the baby. So, they lived together for  a few months, and then married when the baby was four months old. Their marriage was a beginning of a family. He carried this baby daughter down the aisle so that they would become their family.

This little girl is a wonder. A delight. Full of love, curiosity, adventure and intelligence. She knows almost everything there is to know about owls. She can tell you two different calls of a black-capped chickadee, she loves horses and dogs. She is a loving (for the most part) big sister. She loves to read and to build with her blocks, to watch cooking shows, and to sing songs. She is kind to her friends at preschool. She draws and  paints and loves bright colors. Her big blue eyes will undoubtedly be used to her advantage as she grows older.

She is named for a writer-again for her privacy I won’t say whom. But as I said about her sister, there will not be many with her name in her kindergarten class.

Four years old today!

Being Four is a really big deal, in case you have forgotten. We are hoping to have a big birthday party on Saturday to celebrate this occasion. The only possible complication may be that her baby sister could decide to make her appearance on that day.

I don’t know if she would appreciate receiving a baby sister instead of having her party, but we will all sing happy birthday to her no matter what happens.

Happy Birthday, sweetie!

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