on being Babcia

(Babcia. It’s Polish. It means Grandmom. There are other ways people spell it, and lots of ways people pronounce it. We say “bah’-chee”. I love hearing my oldest granddaughter call me that.)

Over five years ago, when I was just a few months pregnant with Sophie, my 6th child, our oldest daughter and son-in-law announced that they were expecting their first child, our first grandchild. I can’t even tell you how excited we were.  It’s been quite a whirlwind of life these last years, punctuated by visits too brief and too far in between, but I’ve been loving this new role of Babcia that I was gifted, and it truly is a gift.

Last week, Ali was due for her annual cath to check on the health and functioning of her special heart, and with my son-in-law recently deployed and a new little one to care for, Cate needed an extra hand. So I got to fly from our home to hers, and travel without children for the first time in SO many years. The getting there was a bit worrisome, as we were having yet another snowstorm that was forecasted to bring 12-18″ of snow the night before my flight. And while we thought the airport would be able to keep the runway clear, the idea of driving to the airport that was over 2 hours away in the wee hours of the morning during the heaviest snowfall kept us glued to the forecast and travel information the day before my flight.

While I missed my children, I enjoyed being able to play Babcia without having to split the role as a Mama.  I was able to personally deliver some hand made items, like Norah’s quilt, and a couple of hand knit sweaters, one for Ali, made from the Wonder Years Pattern, and a coordinating one for Norah, made from the Little Coffee Bean Pattern. Cate says they remind her of cotton candy. I think she’s right; these are some very happy colored sweaters. I felt just like a Babcia, carefully packing and carrying these hand mades to my granddaughters.

Because I didn’t have any of my Littles with me (though I missed them so!), I was able to hold Norah and snuggle her, sit and snuggle and play with Ali, and lend a hand to Cate with some cooking and cleaning up. I’ve been a Babcia for over 5 years, but this was the first time I was really able to just enjoy it.  My visit was way too short so we’re trying to make plans for another before too long. Because this grandma thing? It’s the best!