Juju

Our dearest Wesley turned 18 months old recently. Our baby boy is a year and a half now, and while I have been present for every preceding step and milestone, I'm still stunned. How did this happen? Where did the time go? 

During our baby shower for Wesley, two of my closest girlfriends had the thoughtful (and brilliant, might I add) idea of inviting our guests to write notes to us for each month of his life, starting from birth all the way to 18 months. Each person chose a different month. As Wesley has grown, it's become the sweetest tradition of opening a new card, discovering which one of our friends and family wrote it, and then reading their words of love, support, and wisdom. Some have been funny and empathetic, commiserating about teething or the loss of sleep. Others have been encouraging and just-what-we-needed reminders to stay present, trust our instincts, and practice self care. When we opened the 18-month card recently, we were pleasantly surprised to find a note not addressed to us, but to Wesley instead. It was from his great-grandmother Juju, Erik's 94-year-old grandmother. 

January 26, 2019

Dear Baby Dear (a big boy now),

I hope I'm here to see you run and play, grow your teeth and say "Mama" and "Dada." If not, I wish you a long, healthy and happy life. 

Great Grandma June

P.S. Appreciate your folks always. 

Grandma June (or Juju, as she's asked all three of her great grandchildren to call her), is indeed still here. Very much so. She met Wesley when he was just a couple weeks old. She couldn't climb the stairs to our 4th floor apartment, so we visited in the lobby as Wesley slept soundly in her arms. She mails him cards addressed to "Master Wesley Curtis" and when we FaceTime, Wesley always smiles widely when her face comes into view. She's seen him do all the things she wrote about and more. 

As I've been reflecting on Grandma June's note, I'm so touched by her love. By her thoughtfulness. By her choosing the last stack of the notes at the baby shower. 

Becoming a mother has made me ponder family dynamics, traditions, habits, and legacy so much more than I ever thought I would. I'm sure this happens to many parents. As I continue to sit with Grandma June's note, and feel all the feelings about Wesley turning a year and a half, I'm struck most by the tenderness and generosity. What a gift to see our son loved so well by our friends and family. What a generous gift to be this sweet boy's umma.