Nona has a new nook and I love it!  For the past two years the little cocoon that I called home was enough for me... a perfect "empty nest" for an old bird whose chickadees had flown away and found gorgeous multi-storied nests of their own.  Then came the first grandchild, Sarah.  Where was I to put the "Pack and Play", the booster seat, the extra emergency diapers, toys, etc. in an efficiency apartment? The new place, a cottage with a few more rooms, can accommodate the paraphernalia with the added benefit of being able to keep the equipment out even when not immediately needed, lending an air of " a baby visits here" days after she leaves.  But the new place is still me, small enough to reflect my situation in life as an independent, single, working grandma who supports herself and loves her freedom... all qualities that I would like my grandaughter to grow to respect and admire in me.

            Sometimes I have to smile at myself, though.  I listen to myself babble about grandparenthood and wonder when finding a Cheerio behind the couch became cause for a smile instead of a reminder that I needed to vacuum?  When did reading the labels of baby food jars become an amusement instead of a hurried chore in a long line of things that need to get done?  I can't help but feel that it is such a shame that people can't become grandparents first...If they could, they would certainly appreciate parenthood more!

Click here to visit Nona Nita's Nook