Sunday, August 9, 2009

It's sinking in, I think

Hello. I've been thinking about this...it seems surreal. Have they really moved? They've been out of town before for extended periods. Maybe they're not really gone? Is that it?

My life is seeming a bit emptier this week... I think it's starting to sink in that they have actually moved to Charlotte. Jake and Ellie now live by their other grandparents. In my kinder moments, I'm glad Jenny's parents will have the chance to get to know these two beautiful children for a couple of years like Jim and I have (it's a 2-year job and then they plan to move to Chicago). But then my ugly side - jealousy - creeps in and I'm just plain jealous of them. I can't help it...it's so hard. (I try to come back to the present moment like Eckhart Tolle tells me to do.) But at least Jake and Ellie have grandparents close by who love them. I talked to Jake for a few minutes the other evening and I couldn't help crying a little - but he didn't know it. He said "Do you miss me, grandma?" And I said "YES, Jake!". Do you miss me? And he said "Yes...I do! When are you coming to see me?" We already have a trip planned in late September! Hopefully, we'll get the precious webcam going this week.

Don't get me wrong...I've had a wonderful week. Two different times I met sister-in-laws at Bread Co.; spent the afternoon with my sister for my birthday; went to dinner at a beautiful outdoor restaurant with my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and hubby - it was a cool, pretty evening; dinner and a good movie with friends, and I'm blessed to work with co-workers I consider friends. Everyone has been so supportive of this hard time for me and I do appreciate it. So Jim and I are not sitting around moping. But there is something missing!!! Jim and I both know it - it's family.

It's odd..all our kids live out of town. And here we are. Hmmm.... This is not how I thought my life would turn out. We do head north to visit my son, Joe, and my future daughter-in-law, Adrianne, the end of this month. They live part-time in a tipi and we will stay several nights in a guest tipi (or maybe just a tent). So the adventures go on. I always say "The things you experience because of your children are amazing!" I'll be in touch.
- Anne

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anne, I live less than an hour north of Charlotte and my husband's name is Jim...how funny! I found your blog by you finding my blog. Anyway, right now the best thing I can tell you is to keep in contact with your grandkids weekly. I don't do that, but it's advice that I think, put to use, would be a great solution for getting your "hug 'em and sqeeze 'em" fix. And I feel for you about the jealousy thing. But remember, you are probably very different than their other grandparents. And kids see that and really they appreciate the difference. We are the kind of grandparents that like to do things with them, creating wonderful memories, rather than give stuff to them. They know that and realize when they are here tha "Nana and Poppy have time for us". Hope that helps a little...take care and glad that you will be able to visit soon.
Dorothy

Anne Orso said...

Hi Dorothy,
You are the first person to comment on my new blog! Thank you. I like your ideas. And I really like the thought that we are very different than the other grandparents. That's right and I didn't think about that. I look forward to reading your blog, Dorothy. Oh..and I hear Charlotte is beautiful.
Anne