I Am A Grandmother - Celebrating Jessie Patricia

I like to think that our children were chosen for us.  I know this flies in the face of reason and science, but each child that has entered our family, from my three sons, to my three grandsons, and now to my little grand-daughter has been a unique spirit that has filled a unique spot in the family unit.  Each brought its own energy, gifts, needs, lessons and I can’t imagine life without any of them.  And I, as a mother and a grandmother, have had the privilege of being intimately involved in each new life.

I was the mother of three sons.  And each of my sons, fathered a son.   I always told anyone who asked that I loved raising boys.   Each boy was unique but they all shared the energy, openness, curiosity and dare-devilishness of the Y gene.  I loved the sweaty, puppy-dog smell of their little heads at the end of a day of play.  I loved sitting in the stands at various football, basketball and little league games.  I even loved trying to wash the grass stains out of the knees of blue jeans. 

I would take a little boy over a little girl any day!  

And then there was Jessie Patricia!  

Today we celebrate Jessie’s first birthday.

For one year this little child has filled a void in our family that we didn’t even know existed.  She has her own unique personality that radiates from her smile…and she is always smiling, turning her light on you whenever you catch her eye!  

I have also been an advocate that children should not be treated by gender when they are little.  A child is a “child” and can play with trucks or dolls equally without any recriminations.   

While I still believe that, I am also now aware that for better or worse, little Jessie seems to call forth a different, softer response from each of us.  First of all, she is different from Gino…she is a GIRL. She feels different when you hold her.  While she is just as strong and beautifully developed, she feels softer.  

And I laugh as I watch the men in the family with her…her dad, uncles, cousins…all “take it down a notch” and their voices reach a higher register as they speak to her.  She calls forth a gentler response from each of them. 

I have no doubt that Jessie will be her own person.  She is already Miss Independent…quietly moving forth in the world…walking around the furniture,

climbing, climbing on everything, 

even into her little red car when she wants a ride,

loving the playground

feeding herself when she is hungry or grabbing her water glass when she is thirsty. 

  

She makes her wishes known…not with words yet but with an outward thrust of her arm and a loud “Ahnnnnnn!”  

Her favorite person is her brother Gino, who makes her laugh. 

She performs with all her little games…Pattycake, So Big, Giddy-Up Horsey, Peek-a-boo and laughs with glee when you react.

She is the delight of her mom and dad,

Like any grandparent, I have hopes and dreams for all of my grandchildren.  More than anything I want each of them to be happy…to be happy with who they are and the life they have chosen to live.  To have good health and to be surrounded by people who appreciate who they are.  To have the strength and self-confidence to follow their dreams.  Yet when I look at Jessie Patricia, I find I also have other hopes for her.  

I hope she can grow up in a world that will present opportunities to her, that will not be influenced by sexism but encourage her to spread her wings and reach for her goals.  

And additionally, I hope I can teach her to knit!!

Happy birthday, Jessie Patricia Altieri!  We all love you so much!