Forever Lucy

August 12, 2023

My quest to organize and declutter the cellar continues. If you recall, I talked about this back when we were eagerly awaiting Caleb’s arrival.

Part of that decluttering process has included going through old family photos discarding those that I argue with myself are really not necessary and scanning in some of my favorites. Like this one:

With Meagan expecting her second child, I recently went into nesting mode and picked up the pace with going through those old photos. You see, I was starting to get anxious about what was missing from them. I finally got a sense of relief when I got to the photos that seemed more complete to me. Like this one:

I can’t remember a time when there hasn’t been the three of them. All three of them. For me, there has always been Meagan, Heather, and Nicole.

Now the photos aren’t complete without this little guy. (Sorry, Chris, for the Pats shirt.)

There has always been Caleb. Somehow he manages to make Grandma dance to silly songs on command. The only one to ever be able to do such a thing. And he laughs hysterically when she does.

Now the family photos need to include this little girl.

Lucy made us wait a few extra days past her due date. I filled those days with pickleball, tennis, and photos to distract myself. The message from Meagan telling us she was on her way to the hospital finally came in on my way home from pickleball. I had to pull into a parking lot to read it.

Lucy did not put her parents through the same rigamarole that Caleb did. She didn’t end up in the NICU, and she didn’t have trouble feeding. The only trouble she has caused was to do her best to convince her mother she was ready for steak and potatoes. Now. Not in a couple days. Now.

As with Caleb, Dave and I went down for a few days to help the new parents out. (We were there fewer days than we were with Caleb, which I feel guilty about, but the parents seemed to have a better handle on things, even with a toddler in the picture.)

While I was there, I of course organized. (Some of it per the request of Chris!) It had been 2 1/2 years since I had done so. So it is understandable that after dealing with an infant/toddler during that time, the ugly Christmas sweater got mixed in with the cleaning supplies and the coffee filters. They are all in their correct spots now.

I also made sure they were well fed. Chris and Caleb seemed to be a big fan of my meatloaf. Made with lots of mushrooms. So on the healthier side. Dave took care of the grocery shopping.

Dave and I also entertained Caleb. We went to the park twice. The first time, Grampy and Caleb sang Down by the Bay for about a half hour straight. The second time, I took a much needed nap on a park bench while Grampy and Caleb played.

My final responsibility was to take the baby whenever her parents were in desperate need of a nap or a shower. And during that time, I got to know my granddaughter.