I recently found out that I am going to be a Grandmother. I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear the news. If you had asked me several years ago what my reaction to this wonderful news would be, I would have told you that I would probably cry. But I didn’t. My face hurt from grinning so much! To be honest, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I wondered if I would live long enough to see my children marry or be a grandmother. So I am excited.
It turns out that this being a grandma thing is more complicated than I thought it would be. And believe it our not, things have changed in the last 30 years since I had my own children. I found this out when I wormed my way into Gene’s doctor’s appointment. He was so good to go with me to so many appointments, I thought I would return the favor and attend his annual physical. Leave it to me to get some useful information about MY health at HIS physical! When he told his doctor that we were going to be grandparents, she looked at his chart and said “I see that you have had your tetanus shot recently, so you are good to go. Pediatricians are now recommending that all grandparents and care givers be current on tetanus before the baby is born.” Then she looked at me and asked if I was current. Who knows? I vaguely remember having a discussion with my doctor about vaccinations, but don’t remember when.
I went home and called my doctor’s office and they pulled my chart. They told me I just had my vaccination a year ago. Really? You would think I could remember something that recent. My reply was, “I have no recollection of that . . . ” and the nurse laughed. So much for thinking that my short term memory is improving.
I’m now collecting ideas on how to set up Grandma’s house for my granddaughter due to arrive in May. Feel free to send suggestions, but make sure to write them down. I probably won’t remember a word you say!