Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Alone

This week's RemembeRED prompt was to write about a time something seemingly terrible happened, but looking back, it brought something wonderful.



"We're pregnant," she whispered. It was only three weeks and she didn't want to spread the news yet. But she was so excited, they were ready to add to their family. 

I smiled with her, asked all the appropriate questions, answered a few she had for me. 

Yet, I could feel little excitement. What felt was loss. My daughter had made that final step away from me. 
No more spontaneous lunches. No more just dropping by randomly. 

I was not ready to be a Grandmother. I wasn't old enough. I had little patience for babies and young children. It's the way I was made. 

As my daughter grew, we had become friends. Now, my friend wouldn't have time for me anymore. 

As she made plans and picked names and furniture and baby clothes, I kept my sadness hidden. 

Delivery came, I was proud of her. She did well. She had a healthy baby boy. 

Time passed, I saw little of her for several weeks. She called for advice now and then. She called to cry her frustrations. 

Then, she needed a babysitter. And I got to spend my first alone time with the baby. The first of many times. 

Now, I have a two year old grandson. A bundle of hugs and energy. Gramma's boy. And he is all boy. Trucks and fire engines. Running and giggling. 

There is a granddaughter now as well. It took some time for me to see the gifts I was receiving. I have two new little people to fill my life.  

And I still have my daughter, my friend. 

8 comments:

  1. Love the honesty.

    And you must have done something right with your daughter that you can call her friend.

    My mother has no friends in her six children.

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  2. What a nice post and a glimpse into the future for me. I hope that my daughter and I are as close as the two of you are in adulthood.

    Visitng from TDRC...

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  3. We rarely hear about the changes in the mother-daughter relationship from this perspective. Makes me wonder if my own mother had any of the same concerns prior to the birth of my oldest.

    Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  4. I'm so glad that you not only gained two new people but that your worst fear in fact didn't come true.

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  5. I have to wonder, reading this, if my Mom felt like that at all. She's my best friend, after all. Sometimes I actually wonder if Felix has usurped me in that regard, but then I snap out of it.

    This was great in its bare honesty.

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  6. I agree with the others. This is a perspective I had not ever thought of before when it came to mother-daughter relationships. What an interesting dynamic that must be true for so many moms.

    A true expression of love!

    Great post!

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  7. I love your honesty. My daughters are 9 and 13, seemingly years away from moving out and having families of their own. But you certainly made me think about needing to hold on to every moment we have in the now - wondering how my own mom feels and we don't have the luxury of living close. We live states away from each other.

    - Emily

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  8. I'm so glad this worked out this way. Interesting take on these relationships.

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