"Sandwiched"

Quiznos toasty delicious!

Mr. Sub

Subway!

Fancy sandwiches abound in today's society, on television and on the Internet!

Today I am wondering, Whatever happened to plain old peanut butter and jam? Where have all the grilled cheese sandwiches gone? What about the plain egg, tuna or salmon sandwich? 

Just as the world we live in has gotten more complicated, so have our sandwiches. Maybe it all started with Dagwood! Remember the comic strip where the regular guy gets up in the middle of the night and prepares himself a sandwich?  Everything except the kitchen sink went into his his snack!

Oh yum!

Years ago one principal I worked with introduced me to the concept of the "sandwich generation". During our early middle age we were sandwiched between our ageing parents and our growing children. Our parents age, we age, our children grow we have many more responsibilities- just like the many generations before us. That's how life is- one generation begets the next generation and throughout our lives we are in relationships with young and old.

It sounds so simple and yet it can become complicated when you consider second marriages, premature deaths, boyfriends, girlfriends, step children and even some pets! We all need relationships and need to feel that we are part of the lives of others. We want to make a difference. We want to matter to someone. 

My mother's death just over a year ago had a profound effect on the way I view the world. Today is a gift. I recently found a book my mother had given me called Forever My Daughter. From it I cherish these lines and want to pass them on to my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and friends:

I wish you the beauty of silence, the glory of sunlight, the mystery of darkness, the force of flame, the power of water, the sweetness of air, the quiet strength of earth, the love that lies at the root of things; I wish you the wonder of living. 

Our two year old grandson has been a joy and a delight, reminding me of our son when he was a toddler. And now, as we await the birth of our second grandchild (a girl), I can only imagine the emotions- the joy, love and and hope when I hold another miracle in my arms. 

I am ready, little one! You can make your debut anytime. I am honoured to be on the other end of the sandwich from you and your big brother!

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

Waiting- a pause, interval, or delay

Note to self!

It is an August afternoon.  I am waiting...

For what am I waiting?

A new baby is due on August 25 and we are counting the days. The mother (our daughter-in-law) is anxious for the arrival, as the summer is hot and soon coming to an end and her husband (our son) will be heading back to school 's on the 3 of September.

When will the baby arrive?  Hopefully any day between now and the beginning of school.

In the meantime, I am thinking about the miracle of life. Rewind to just over 31 years ago when we were expecting our second child. We had a little boy who was a mere 18 months old.  We had no idea (nor had the opportunity to know) what the gender of the baby would be. How I longed for a little girl! In fact we were only planning to have two children and the chances were fifty-fifty!

Happily our little one arrived on her due date (after a little inducement from our kind doctor) and she was a she!  We had what people called a million dollar family.

wiki.answers.com has an interesting explanation of a "million dollar family":

We think it derives from the similar terms, "rich man's family" or "choix du roi".
One son--to inherit and rule the estate...no brothers are needed to work the fields or run the business (because you are rich) so best deal is not to have second and third sons who will not receive a birthright and will skulk around, envious, making trouble.
One daughter--to marry a powerful ally's son and spread your power and influence.

According to theurbandictionary.com  a "million dollar family" means when a married couple have one boy and one girl; the supposedly happy perfect family.

I am thinking that the expression is an old fashioned one, not suited to our society as it exists today. However, deep down in my heart I do wish my son and his wife and their son and soon-to-arrive daughter the happiest and most perfect family possible!

Until next time,


Bee Rich

Loving the New Life

If you were on facebook today, you may have seen the picture posted by our daughter.  It was during our visit with our six week old grandson and his parents.  My sister was there to capture this moment.  You should have seen the little guy's face.  It reflected his grandpa's enthusiasm.  My face reflects the joy I see in my husband and the appreciation of the moment. 

Our lives are filled with moments such as this one.  I am very thankful for this new life with us, filled with the potential for even more moments.

Love the moment.

Flowers grow out of dark moments.

Therefore, each moment is vital.

It affects the whole.

Life is a succession of such moments and to live each,

is to succeed. 

Live, laugh, love and

Bee Rich

Pass It On!

Baby Mac with his Auntie Sara

I had to share this picture of Baby Mac.  He has grown so much in only one month.  His birth weight was 6 pounds plus 13 ounces.  On the day before his one month birthday he weighed over 9 pounds.  Pretty amazing for only being fed mother's milk. 
Our quick trip to Guelph this past weekend yielded only a few pictures, but this is my favourite.  His expression (of which he has many) is so intense.  I wonder what he was thinking?  Probably something like, "Grandma, would you lay off the picture taking for once?!"  Actually, that was my son talking. 
No matter, I think I am going to enjoy this grand motherhood chapter of my life.  We are heading back next weekend for several more days.  Hopefully I can sneak a few pictures while I am there!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Quick Trips and Family Moments

Baby Mac with Daddy (above) and Auntie Sara with Baby Mac (below)

On Thursday evening this past week, we got a phone call from child #1: "Can Dad come to Guelph to play on our Slo-Pitch team for the tournament this weekend?"  Without spousal consultation, my life partner agreed! Because child #1 is the father of grandchild #1, it makes sense that I will accompany him on the four and a half hour trip from our home to theirs. 
No problem.  I didn't have any firm plans for the weekend.  But, just so it is clear, we have to be back Sunday night because I have a job orientation on Monday morning in Kingston. 
No problem.  We don't want to take child #3 the jumping Jack Russell, and we ask the neighbours to look in on her for the weekend.  That means life partner is to make arrangements for keys, instructions, etc.
No problem.  We are on the road on Friday by 4:00 p.m.  Part way to Toronto there is a phone call from our former neighbour, who now lives in Ottawa.  "Uh, I just got a call from your next door neighbour and she can't get into the house. What do you want me to do?"
PROBLEM! If the neighbour cannot get into the house then the dog (who is locked inside) cannot be fed or watered or walked and will go crazy with running and barking and whining and....

I phone the neighbour to find out what the challenges are and whether or not we need to turn around and drive the three hours return home.  For several tense minutes he explains that he tried all four keys and for sure none will work.  They called another neighbour to see if they still had an extra key and, long story short, several phone calls and running around from neighbour to neighbour to our house and back, a key was found, the door was opened and jumping Jack (aka child #3) is out the door and doing her business.

Phew! I can only say that I am SO very thankful for FANTASTIC neighbours! 

The weekend was spent in the beautiful city of Guelph where grandpa and daddy played in a slo-pitch tourney- winning 1, losing 3.  Grandma and mommy stayed home with baby Mac until the third game, (which happened to be the one win!) Auntie arrived from the states (she was at a wedding) late Saturday and we all had some Sunday time under the same roof.  This was the first time we had all been together with baby Mac.  There was some teasing, laughter, shared memories, and of course, precious moments!

Let me out, please!!!