Happy Birthday, Max!

                           

Because of the unique position in which I was standing and because of the unique position in which he chose to enter this world, I was the first human to lay eyes upon my grandson, Maxwell Morgan Crabb. It is a moment which I will cherish forever. 

The nurses at the hospital made fun of me because I was wishing that Max would be born before midnight so that he could have the mathematical anomaly of a birthday that was an equation: 5-7-12. But it was not to be. Max was born on 5-8-12. The nurses; however, were the first to console me when Max arrived on the scene at 4:37 am.

Everyones initial shock was that Max was a redhead. It was apparent as soon as they cleaned him up. We were not expecting that, even though redheads run in my family. I had given up on redheads when both of my boys were born blond. I was immediately delighted.

I was lucky enough to share Max's first week of life with him, even if I haven't been as close in the aftermath. The biggest hurdle in my decision to move away was how in the world I would cope living so far away from my beautiful grandson. However, I knew that the sooner I did it, the better; before we had a chance to really bond. It has only been in the last couple of months that Max has called me by name during video chats, and when I visited recently he expressed sadness at my leaving. He is growing up knowing a long distance grandmother; it would have been much tougher if I'd left when he was the age he is now... 3 years old.

Because of the difficult circumstances, I've not ever been able to attend any of Max's birthday parties, but I'm always keenly aware of his birthday and I relive the moment of his entry into our lives. Since his arrival, none of our lives have ever been the same

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Happy Birthday, Cindy Crabb!

Christmas 2004 with my great-nephew John

"A son's a son till he gets a wife, but a daughter's a daughter all your life"

I've heard this ditty forever and believed it. As a mother of two boys, I just figured I'd one day lose them to their future in-laws. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised.

My oldest son, Jerry, first introduced me to Cindy in 2004. He'd dated a number of gals at whom I'd raised my eyebrows prior to Cindy, but the night I met her, when she came to dinner with Jerry and me, I knew, absolutely knew, that she was the one and I was well pleased.

Enjoying the Crabb family back yard pool.

Cindy is an absolutely amazing young woman. She was born into an adverse situation, but instead of using it as an excuse for pity, she has treated it as an educational experience. And she has pushed herself hard to excel, earning a master's degree in less time than it takes most people to earn their bachelor's degree and excelling in her chosen profession of social work. 

Wedding Day, August 18, 2007

To me, she is much more than a daughter-in-law. She is a very close friend. Having only boys, I never thought I'd have the opportunity to plan a wedding; but, as a matter of fact, Cindy chose me to help her plan her wedding to my son and we spent 18 months on that project; bonding all the way. It helped much that she and I are both natural organizers and a week before the event, we sort of sat back and sighed, because we were ready!

Cashier at my grand yard sale in June 2008.

Joining me at Geocaching in Virginia Beach, VA, 2009. She is absolutely the best cache finder!

With my black shadow, Emmett

She has also continued the legacy of male Crabbs, giving birth to my two grandsons. She has made every effort to include me in every aspect of their lives. I was present at the birth of my oldest, Maxwell, and arrived on the scene five days after the birth of Zachary.

I adore this photo of Cindy and Max, just minutes after he was born. The expression on her face says it all.

Cindy with Zachary. By December of 2013, Cindy was an old hat at "birthin' babies." :D

The year Max was born, I moved a great distance away from this little family that I love so much, but Cindy has been great at keeping me in touch via regular video chats. 

"Screen capture" during a recent video chat. 

This woman, with her zest for life, her love of family (especially embracing our zany one), her ambitious goals and her infectious cackle has captured my heart forever. And on this, her 30th birthday, I wish her much, much, much love and joy.

Why I Love Children At Weddings

It seems to me that one of the biggest debates among brides and mothers of the bride is whether or not to invite children to a wedding; and the debate covers all the obvious reasons. If anyone were to ask my opinion (very few do) I always vote FOR having children at a wedding. For one thing, I view a wedding as a family event and there's nothing that says family more or is a better representation of what a marriage is all about than to have as many generations present as possible.

But more importantly, children create comic relief.

Of all the weddings I've attended, my greatest memories are of the children who were present and their wonderful antics, some consciously enacted, others not .One of my best memories is of the flower girl who wore the tennies that light up when you walk under her floor length dress. During the reception, out on the dance floor, her little feet created sparks of light under the hem of her dress. On the occasion of weddings, children are dressed in their best clothes, often an imitation of what the grown-ups are wearing and you see them trying on their best manners; but of course, after a certain point in time it becomes a little more than they can bear.  

Most recently, at my niece Olivia's wedding, her eight year old cousin, who was also the ring bearer was the source of amusement (to me) at her reception. The bride obviously did not appreciate it at the moment, but hopefully she'll remember it as funny in years to come.

Every bride has a vision in her head of how her wedding day should look. Here are Olivia and John leaving the reception hall dressed for their Hawaiian honeymoon while well wishers blow bubbles in their path. Note the well dressed little boy on the right. We'll call him Jack (because that's his name).

Olivia and John are obviously feeling happy about their nuptials and the gathering of their loved ones.

Suddenly, Jack appears in front of them. Notice the position of his left hand. Just as Olivia turned to look at him, he blew a wand full of bubbles right into her face.

The happy bride, looking not quite so happy now as she points a chastising finger at her little cousin.

And HORRORS! as she realizes she now has a mouth full of soap!

Olivia needs a moment to get that bitter taste out of her mouth. Everyone else is carrying on as though nothing has happened.

Seeing my camera pointed in her direction, Olivia fights valiantly to regain her composure.

With one last word of admonishment aimed at Jack (whom she truly adores) the bride and groom make their way to the waiting limo.

No harm, no foul. The day was not ruined. But this is why I think children should always be invited to weddings; to provide entertainment for crazy old aunts like me! :D