Moms and Grandmas

Soon, I will be the mother of a four year old. Unbelievable.

Some days I'm not sure I "fit" in that category, "mothers of four year olds." I have very distinct memories about what mothers or grandmothers do. Moms are awesome. They are there to get you off the bus, when you are little they give you donuts to eat when Mr. Rogers comes on, when you are older they let you buy something in the store next to the parts store where they work and you can eat it while you do your "homework" while sitting on a huge stack of tires. They let you cry about stupid stuff, then they make sure you splash some cold water on your face. They hug you when you need it, and more when you think you don't. They tell you what classes to take. They give you advice whether you want it or not, and when you don't want it, they say it twice to make sure you get it. After a certain amount of time has passed, they'll even laugh with you about the advice you *didn't* take (in my case a certain ex-husband), playfully nudge you on the shoulder, and chide you with a, "What *were* you thinking?"

Moms forgive mistakes. All of them.

If moms are great, grandmothers are even better. My mom is the perfect grandmother. She's a great example to my daughter of a strong, smart, independent woman. The Princess *adores* her grandparents, my parents. I'm so glad that she has a strong bond with them. My own grandmother was... there aren't words good enough to describe her. She knew everything about everything, and there wasn't anything she couldn't do or make or whip up out of thin air, she knew things about you before you knew them about yourself sometimes, and I swear my mom is becoming just like her.

Everyone should be so lucky.