My daughter had a baby on Friday, August 2, 2024. Here are my thoughts about this new miracle that entered our lives.
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For the past few years, my family and I have rented a house in the Dover, Vermont, area every Christmas. We usually go skiing and enjoy each other’s company. This past year was different. Although we went to Mt. Snow, I could not ski because of my brain surgery, which was to take place on 12/29. My daughter said she didn’t want to ski to spend the time with me.
On the last night of our trip, my daughter Zoey said we should open our holiday presents. She brought down a box for Derek (my son) and a small box for Brian (my husband) and me.
I opened the box. Inside was a little outfit that said, “Only the best parents get promoted to grandparents. ” On the little outfit, it read, “Hello, Grandma and Grandpa.”
At first, I thought it was about their dog, Daisy. But then I realized what they were saying: They were expecting!
How Exciting
I had such mixed emotions. It wasn’t that I was going to be a grandma. I didn’t even think about that. All I kept thinking was, “my baby is having a baby,” which brought up so many emotions. I remember when Zoey was born and she was first brought to me. The joy I had in my heart was indescribable.
Fast forward to Friday, August 2, 2024. The day I became a grandmother. Zoey gave birth to a beautiful baby, and our family was blessed with this tiny new life. I got the call at 2:30 am. “Mom, my water broke,” Zoey told me.
My heart swelled with emotions I could hardly contain.
The kids told me to wait until mid-morning to come into the city. We waited and as I went to the hospital, my husband went with my son to his new apartment to set up.
We sat in the delivery room waiting for the little boy to show his face. Dan, her husband and I kept looking at the monitors. When I noticed that the contractions were coming more frequently, I had a gut feeling it was time. When the doctor came in to examine my daughter, they told us she was 10 cm dilated and ready to go.
At that point, I left and went to walk their dog. As I hung out with the dog, I kept texting to see what was going on. I was a nervous wreck! I kept praying that Zoey and the baby would be okay.
Then Dan called and told me to come back.
The moment I first saw my grandchild, I was overwhelmed with love and a sense of fulfillment I had never experienced before. Holding that little bundle of joy, I couldn’t help but think back to when Zoey was a baby. It felt like just yesterday that I was cradling her in my arms, and now she was a mother herself. The cycle of life had come full circle, and it was a deeply humbling and beautiful realization.
Becoming a grandparent has been a whirlwind of emotions. There’s the joy and excitement of welcoming a new member into the family, coupled with the nostalgia of my own parenting journey. I find myself reflecting on the many memories of raising Zoey and Derek, and now I get to witness Zoey embark on her own journey as a parent. It’s a gift I cherish deeply.
The early days of parenthood
Watching Zoey and her partner navigate the early days of parenthood has been both heartwarming and enlightening. They have shown such grace and resilience, and I am incredibly proud of the parents they have become. It’s also a time for me to offer support and share my own experiences, while respecting their space to create their own family dynamics.
My family has always been close-knit, but the arrival of our grandchild has brought us even closer. We’ve shared countless moments of laughter, joy, and yes, a few tears. This new chapter in our lives is a testament to the enduring bonds of family and the continuous journey of love and growth.
As I sit here, reflecting on the past months, I am filled with gratitude. Grateful for the love and support of my family, grateful for the health and happiness of my daughter and her new baby, and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible journey.
