Saturday, January 04, 2020

A Letter to My Granddaughter


Darling Girl Woman,

You continue to astonish me both in your academic career (Master of Economics, how brilliant you are!) and in your conduct of your life.

I feel so fortunate in having watched you grow and to spend so much time with you, whole weekends, whole weeks, having you in my office every afternoon after school for many years, having you and your mother living in my home in Toronto (albeit a separate apartment) for years.

I have so many treasured memories.

I remember one time picking you up from kindergarten and you clutching my sleeve and said "Grandma, are you warm enough?" Such concern from a 4 year old was indicative of the wonderful, kind person you would become. I remember when you got your first skateboard and I found an empty underground car parking lot and took you there and we spent 2 whole hours (and many times subsequently)while you skated and skated and whooped and jumped.

I remember riding the subway rails with you in Toronto with no destination in mind, just sitting behind the driver and watching the tunnel ahead of us. Getting off, so we would chat with the driver and sometimes getting back on again or sometimes riding the odd escalator and going down once more to ride with no destination.

I remember reading to you and singing to you ad infinitum. And writing stories with you.

We always pool our music and make playlists together and I love that you sometimes find new versions of my "old" music (Elvis!) and adore Ella Fitzgerald and my weird folk music tastes as I love your Pink and Lord Huron and you my Radical Face.

I remember our annual vacations together and the fun we had, it was hard to tell who had the most fun, me or you. I remember us two riding ferries and trains and hiking and playing pitch and putt and me watching you for hours as you rode carousels and switchbacks. And you playing all afternoon on the beach with your imaginary friends.


Oh hiking, lots of hiking. You would always spontaneously offer me your hand when we forded streams and came down cliffs. You would always point out the "safe" rocks for climbing. You were fearless and courageous. And still are.

Which brings me to now, and the time we spend together, you 25, me 76. You are endlessly kind and caring. I never have to ask you for anything. You hold my hand when negotiating icy sidewalks, you ask me for shopping lists so you can lug heavy or awkward items up to my apartment (and you include some desired items without being asked), you wash the dishes without my noticing, you display endless patience with the physical challenges I now face.


You are so wise. I can ask you for advice and you reflect deeply before responding. You are joyful and intelligent and highly sociable. Many comment on your beauty and you truly are very lovely. But it is your inner that shines, how much you care for your mother, your partner, your friends and your colleagues.

You truly are one of a kind. And I am so incredibly blessed that you call me Grandma.





26 comments:

  1. What a beautiful letter to a beautiful woman from a beautiful woman.

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    1. Ah thanks EC, she is very special and quite wonderful. And I am truly blessed.

      XO
      WWW

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  2. I suspect that Ms Grand-girl/woman could, and probably will, write a comparably beautiful letter to you WWW. That old saying about apples and trees comes to mind(the "not falling far from" bit). You being the tree one generation back - which possibly makes the effect more pronounced. :)

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  3. Thank you T. I did adore my own maternal grandmother and I know we get unconditional love from very few others in our lives so was quite conscious of this when being with her for so much of her life. And we had loads of fun. That was the best part, I think.

    XO
    WWW

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  4. Yes grandchildren are caring and nice. O do not have any yet, but I see it with my friends' Grandchildren. Lovely letter <3

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    1. It's all in the time we spend with them and how we share that time Charlotte, so when they arrive for you I hope you play endlessly with them!

      XO
      WWW

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  5. That's just so lovely and my eyes are wet. Both of you are fortunate to have each other.

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  6. Thank you Andrew, we are very lucky indeed!

    XO
    WWW

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  7. How wonderful. Your granddaughter sounds marvelous. I'm sure you are her favorite grandma. 8-)

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    1. I am but I am glad she is developing a relationship with her paternal grandma too.

      XO
      WWW

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    1. Pure and sweet and unconditional, truly treasured, Gemma.

      XO
      WWW

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  9. That's a beautiful letter :)
    I don't know my own grand daughters nearly as well, the older one spent most of her years living with or near the "other" grandma and I was working in the factories then. I did see her at Christmas and like you, I'm very happy with the wonderful young woman she has become.

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    1. It is extraordinary how they grow and "become", River. My grandgirl said to me: "Am I 'people' to you yet, grandma?" A very important question. When do even see our own children as people?

      XO
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  10. What a beautiful girl, through and through and through.

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    1. She truly is. I remember rocking her when she was about 3 months old and was astonished when her little hand reached out and clutched mine. I cried and cried. Happy tears. I felt the bonding even then.

      XO
      WWW

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  11. Both of you are blessed to have each other in your lives.

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    1. Truly I am for sure and I never forget it Ramana!

      XO
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  12. What a wonderful tribute to your granddaughter! She is very photogenic and a kind and loving person. You are indeed blessed to have her in your life.

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    1. I really am Gigi, she is a wonderful human being.

      XO
      WWW

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  13. A wonderful granddaughter, but, although you were describing her, your love and support of her came through, too. Sounds as if you're a wonderful grandmother, too!

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    1. Thank you Linda, we are very fortunate to have this profound and deep relationship since she was a baby.

      XO
      WWW

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  14. That's a lovely tribute to your granddaughter.

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  15. I never knew my grandparents ( large families, late births, youngest in my own large family ) It was hinted by an older sister who did know her that “Grannie” was stern and cool and not the sort of person who’s knee you climbed onto. Sadly she once said she only remembered her telling her off. Grannie lived near, they saw her at least weekly but the warmth was not there. Now happily both my sister and I have a gaggle of grandchildren and they can run straight from the door onto my lap any day they want!

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    1. Anne my paternal grandmother was like that, very aloof and distant and very possessive of her only son, my father. So much so that my mother had to distance herself from her. Whereas my maternal grannie was warm and loving and great fun and quite youngish when I was born. I remember dancing with her on warm summer nights outside. We brought each other much joy.

      Lovely that you are breaking the pattern with your own grandchildren!

      XO
      WWW

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