Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Circle of Life

Today, my cousin John, his wife Karla and their daughter Kaitlyn welcomed baby Conor Ephriam. Conor was born at 12:58 pm by c-section and came it at 8 1/2 lbs and 17 inches long (we don't think they stretched him out!) All are doing well.

Conor was supposed to make his appearance next Monday, however, Karla appeared to be retaining fluid and the decision was made to "get him out" - today, 7 years to the day after my grandma's passing.

Hard to believe that middle of the night phone call came 7 years ago - I remember it like it was yesterday. Although her passing was sudden and unexpected, over time I have become greatful that this is the manner in which this happened. It would have been very hard on us to have it any other way.

As many of my readers know, I possess some form of OCD about certain things. Oddly enough, many of them were engrained in me by my grandmother. Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Making my bed - she always told me that even if my room looked like "the wrath of God with a door knob on it" (which she said it frequently did - often with a "dear god, child" in front of it) that making my bed would make it look tidier.

2. Folding my laundry - very particular about how I do that, as evidenced by the organizers in my sock and underwear drawer.

3. Spreading peanut butter (or any other condiment/spread) to the edge of the bread - according to her, it was not a sandwich unless the spread went all the way to the edges.

4. Cleaning my glasses - every time I saw her, she took them off my face, cleaned them and remarked about how she didn't understand how I could see out them, they were so dirty. I have Lens crafters wipes everywhere.

I am sure the list goes on and on, but these were the examples that quickly came to mind. Some days, I am still surprised at how much I miss her.

So, with the ending of one life comes the beginning of another. Welcome Conor, I can't wait to meet you - your daddy says you have been crying since you came out!!! (your sister doesn't do that!!!)

2 comments:

the youngbergs said...

It sounds like your grandmother was a very wise woman! Welcome to the world, Conor!

Becky Andrews said...

What a sweet tribute to your grandma - sounds like she passed on some great habits to you! Congrats on the new member of the family too.