Homebodies - Moving on up…
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- Published on Monday, August 27, 2018
By Rita Friesen
Neepawa Banner & Press
I have never wanted to sit at the front of the bus, the front pew in the church, or the front row in the theatre. I am okay not being at the head of a line, am okay with waiting. Life events are pushing me to the front of the life line.
I am the matriarch, the wise one, the elder. –some of that is tongue-in-cheek!
There are five wonderful little people that know me as ‘great gran’. I love it. Geographically we are not close, and they have aunts and uncles and grandparents that love them to bits, so I am the extra. This week I get to spend time with some of them, playing and being.
I am a great aunt as well. The ‘Marie’ name is being shared by one more lass in the family. My maternal grandmother was Marie, I am Rita Marie, a niece is Sheila Marie, and now a great niece is Lucy Marie. A fine heritage.
I wonder at why this makes me feel old. I still walk and bike and laugh and love. Perhaps it is all the changes that come with every generation. This whole new baby thing. My generation swaddled their babes for several weeks, now a little one that is days old is passed around the family circle without even a receiving blanket keeping them together. I know its summer, but a blanket was a bit of support and security, I thought. More than one baby slept in a dresser drawer for a few weeks. Now the nursery is designer styled, colour co-ordinated, parents’ often knowing the gender before the baby arrives. I recall the faithful umbrella stroller, collapsible, wobbly, but a godsend by the time the child was too heavy to tote all day. State of the art strollers, mini cars, almost, safe and sturdy, heavy and someone my age needs a manual to operate, and magnifying glasses to read the manual.
I love technology; for my grandchildren are faithful about keeping me in the loop with the advances of their children. The oldest two are in school already. I get videos of bath time, first fish caught, sisters loving each other. And I am blessed. Blessed that I care and am cared for.
I was talking to my very favourite sister-in-law this week. She is 86 and her health could be better. Her faith is strong, her love for family inspirational, and her resiliency and determination an encouragement. We spoke of this getting older, and she was delighted to tell me that she had just become a great, great grandmother. Her daughter is a great grandma. I asked her how that all made her feel. With a laugh she replied, old, really, really old!
I have always believed in fair play. Taking turns and stepping up to responsibilities. And so, with a brave face, I move to the head of the line. Inside, I am kicking and screaming all the way!