Heart Tugs and Heart Swells

One of the things I love about being a grandma is that I get to be Pseudo Grandma to some very special kids. Last year, while we were spending so much time up on the 7Th floor at Mott's children's Hospital at University of Michigan, I became pseudo grandma to a special little boy named Benny Lewis. Benny's sister Ali was a patient there being treated for Leukemia. I just loved it when Benny came down the hall and screamed "Grandma!!!!" as he ran into my arms. I will never forget how he could hug and hug, then run down the hall to play. I remember one night when Ali's mom Sharon had gone back to the Ronald McDonald House to get some rest and Ali was super fussy. I spoke to her nurse and was allowed to try my grandma bounce with Ali. What a wonderful feeling to hold such a sweet baby, IV and all, and bounce down the hallways to comfort her. And the smell of a sweet baby, you do not have to be a grandma to know that precious baby smell. Little Ali would calm and appear to fall asleep only to wake again when I would lay her down. So off we would go, bouncing down the hallway again. On a different night I rocked and rocked her as she snuggled against my shoulder. Little Ali lost her battle with Leukemia and earned her precious angel wings January 9, 2008. I heard this from another family who were patients on 7. My heart was broken, sad to have lost sweet Ali, sad that I would not see Benny again, sad that I had not gotten Sharon's address, phone number, or email. Well GOD took care of this for me!!!! Sharon posted a message on my grand daughter Laura's page!!!!! I replied to that message and asked Sharon to email me. I was able to share with her the picture I had of Ali on Halloween and she shared pictures of Benny and Angel Ali with me. My heart swells with love when I see those pictures, and tugs to know this precious baby is in the arms of JESUS. I sent Benny a silly little homemade card, and yesterday when I opened my mailbox, I found one of the best presents of my life, a picture from Benny!!!!!!!!!! That picture is now framed and hangs right in front of my laptop!!!! October 15Th is Infant and pregnancy loss awareness day. I will be ordering a T Shirt from Sharon to were that day to honor sweet Angel Ali.

Another Heart Swell day was July 25Th, Jayden's 3rd birthday party. I just had to giggle when Jayden comes up to me with his "Hey Grandma my hair is all spiky!!!!!!" Who knew a three year old would love Spiky hair!! What fun to watch him as he moved from one thing to the next at the speed of lighting!!!!! Bryce had gotten a baby shot that same day and was extra cuddly, lucky me. I snuggled and snuggled him for most of the evening, enjoying that sweet little boy smell. Yes truly a heart swell day.

Another Heart Swell day was August 7th when our grandson Ayden turned 4!!!!! Holy moly where does the time go? I believe that he will be a pro golfer if his daddy has anything to say about it!!!!!



I also had a Heart Swell day last Friday. Laura's best friend Sydney came over to play and I had so much fun just listening to them giggle and play just like little girls should. At one point, they were in the bedroom putting on little bracelets and necklaces and Laura promptly told me "Look Grandma, we are getting popular!!!" hehehehe

I am not sure if this next segment is a heart swell or a heart tug, I guess a little of both. Since the summer is coming to a close, and school is stating soon, I have found myself a little at loose ends. Laura and Owen are going to school soon and won't need me to babysit as much. My heart swells knowing Laura's neuroblastoma is in remission and she can start kindergarten, and tugs that Laura is well enough to start kindergarten. So I figured that I needed to do something to fill up my extra time. I am volunteering at our local hospital in the new gift shop. After all, this is what you do when you are just the grandma!!!