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The Name Game

Maybe it’s my ADD, but I still feel like I AM a child! So how am I gonna be a grandma to a little girl who will expect grownups to act like, well, grownups?
ADDiva Blog | Tuesday June 30th - 4:19pm | More June 2009 Blogs
 

Maybe I can be the whimsical, wacky grandma who builds tents out of blankets and has afternoon tea in her purple treehouse.

Linda Roggli - ADDiva Blog

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I spent an hour online this morning, trying to find a nickname I can live with and I’m running out of time. Little Lilly Surratt will make her appearance any day now and I have no idea what to call myself.

It’s my first grandbaby and I’m having a little trouble coming to grips with the fact that:
a) I am actually old enough to be a grandma and
b) it’s happening whether I like it or not.

Most of my friends already wear the “grandma” crown. They tell me it’s wonderful, that they can’t imagine anything better. My neighbor can’t wait to cradle her first grandchild.

Maybe it’s my ADD, but I still feel like I AM a child! I like skipping and silliness and jumping on beds and turning somersaults. (You know, I haven’t done that for a while, I think I’ll turn one right now! OK, scratch somersaults off the list). But I do like strong sea breezes and fuzzy caterpillars. And I really like staying up past my bedtime. I do it a lot!

So how am I gonna be a grandma to a little girl who will expect grownups to act like, well, grownups? I don’t have to figure it out today, I suppose. Perhaps I don’t have to figure it out at all. Maybe I can be the whimsical, wacky grandma who builds tents out of blankets and has afternoon tea in her purple treehouse (oh yes, there IS a purple treehouse at GardenSpirit).

Oh my gosh! If ADD is genetic, as many researchers suspect, perhaps Lilly will be “one of us.” Our youngest ADDiva-in-training! This is exciting!

Perhaps Lilly and I will spend goofy mornings finger painting the fence and then take a nap in the hammock under the southern pines that tower over my house. We might take a walk in the Carolina sunshine and snuggle in for a batch of homemade blueberry scones.

As much as I hate labels, maybe I can stretch this Grandma thing to fit me – kind like my favorite jeans. I suspect it won’t really matter what she calls me in the end – Oma or La-La or Gi-Gi or even... gulp... Grandma.

Hey, we might need a new ADDiva category: GrandADDiva! OK, Lilly, I’ve got you covered! Come on out into the world, baby girl!

4 Comments:

  • Posted by Mary Fulton - Jul 15 2009 @ 12:07 AM
    Bet you'll never be "Grand Mother"
    The first grandchild chooses your moniker. Whether you become Ganga, Nana, Grammy or Grandma is up to them so keep close tabs when they’re learning to make sounds. My pseudo grandson claims me as his best friend and his favorite grandma even though we are not related. I was the first to hold him (his little sister too). We play leggos, spend hours at Barnes and Nobles, go on adventures, film movies on my cell phone, roll around on the floor together and make up stories. Welcome Lilly to your colorful world. Isn’t that what all ADD Grandma’s do?
  • Posted by ADDiva - Jul 14 2009 @ 11:29 AM
    What FUN
    I think ADD makes us all enjoy that childlike sense of excitement and amazement at the world. And why not? The world IS full of amazing miracles....like new babies! Hugs Linda
  • Posted by joanie - Jul 6 2009 @ 12:07 AM
    goofy ?never ! just fun
    hey can i come over and play too. i like to stay up after bed time and read " where the sidewalk ends." in my footie jammies and eat cookies and milk . last time i finger painted the fence i got smaked . and a purple tree house can i bring jeffery bear for tea party LOL give this little angel a welcoming hug and kiss for me
  • Posted by Nettie - Jul 1 2009 @ 12:30 PM
    Hey, Goofy Grandma...
    ...you don't need to stretch anything. Grandmas are supposed to do all those things you suggested and happily return home after the mayhem. You deserve all the joy you're going to have with Lilly; be wildchilds together ~ you can always blame it on senility ;)
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