Letter to Gran and Pop

For the most part, the Bailey household has run smoothly this week.  Wriston is now 21 weeks old and set to officially turn FIVE months on Friday!  Even more exciting?  His harness can be burned... to ashes... never to return again... as yesterday was his last day in the darn thing.  We're excited to see him have the freedom to now sleep as he wants although now it worries me at night as he prefers sleeping on the belly.  We'll go back for an x-ray at his 6 month check up in mid-August.   The Ortho Dr is expecting to see great results and never worry about surgery or further "therapies" if we want to call it that.  We pray he is correct!

This past weekend, we went to visit Gran and Pop Bailey (Stephen's paternal grandparents) who celebrate their SEVENTIETH wedding anniversary next month.  We hoped by throwing the party earlier, we'd get more out of town guests and avoid it clashing with our schedules.  SEVENTY years of marriage - can you imagine?  Stephen and I married when I was almost 23 and he was almost 26.... at our 70th anniversary we'd be in our early to mid-90s!!  Wow.  We're hitting our seven year mark in a little over a month, but that is still far FAR away from 70!   For their anniversary, they did not want gifts.  So, we bought them two frames and filled them with pictures of Wriston and us.  Stephen and I also wrote Gran and Pop a letter to explain how much they mean to us (we wrote separate letters). While a little personal, I wanted to share my letter with all of you... and really, with all 3 of you who read this blog, it's not like it's going global :)  Here's my letter (excuse all errors as I'm no editor)

Dearest Gran and Pop,

            Happy Anniversary to two of the most wonderful people I know and love.

            It seems so long ago that you two came into my life or me into yours.  I came with Stephen to visit you almost eleven years ago Labor Day weekend 2000.  Meeting you two made me very anxious as I hoped you could see just how much I loved your grandson.   You both immediately accepted me into your home, your lives and your hearts and I am forever thankful. 

            I never knew my grandfathers as both passed away before I came into the world.  I grew up with two grandmothers, one of which passed away at two, so memories of her are very faded.  My other grandmother lived until I was in the seventh or eighth grade and passed away from pancreatic cancer.  Prior to her being diagnosed, we saw her very often.  She moved into our house every summer and took care of us while Mom and Dad worked.  She and I got along very well – we watched tv, had pretend tea parties, went down to the lake and I swam while she watched, read books together and were roomies all summer.  Even though her death ended up being somewhat expected, it was hard to go so many years without having any grandparents in my life.  I envied others who were blessed to have them. 

            Meeting Stephen and having him love me has been the best thing for me (now, this ties with having Wriston in our world).  By him bringing me into his life, he gave me another grandmother (Granny Shepherd) and the two of you.  Even though Granny passed away so unexpectedly, she is in my heart forever.  We shared a lot of memories and she will be forever missed.

            Having the two of you in my life has meant the world to me.  It is hard to explain just how much the two of you mean to me, but I want to give it a shot because I think, at times, we all need a reminder of how blessed we are to be with the ones we love. 

            Gran and Pop, there are no words to describe just how much I love and adore you.  And no words can ever describe how thankful I am that you took me in, right away and started treating me like a granddaughter.  The first day we met, you wanted to be called Gran and Pop; it is the best feeling in the world and such an honor to be able to do so, even now.  You both are so proud of your children, grandchildren and great-grands, but I wonder if you realize that they are the way they are because of you.  I really should thank you for Stephen.  He is the most gentle, loving, family-oriented, caring, God-loving man and a lot has to do with the influences of the both of you, Gene and Nancy and Granny and PawPaw Shepherd.  He is the most wonderful person who would do anything for anyone and it really has a lot to do with the two of you. 

            The two of you are the perfect couple and I can only hope we end up being the example you two are in our children and grandchildren’s lives.  You have set such an example for your family and you should be proud.  I love how we can just do nothing but sit and spend time with each other.  I love how we gather around the table to play dominos or sit and watch the girls dance and play.  I love how we can reminisce about old photos and family memories.  I love how we can go out to town and eat ice cream or visit local shops.  I will always remember when you came and spent Christmas with us a few years ago.  I love how we are still able to see each other and spend special times in our lives with one another.  I just love having the two of you to love.

            Gran and Pop, you two have always been there for us.  Even without knowing, you taught us more about love, life and the importance of family.  I realize Stephen and I took you both for granted.  We are truly blessed. 

            We are so blessed to now be parents of our own.   Having Wriston in our lives has taught us a lot more about love, understanding and again, the importance of family.  I wonder if he will ever realize how lucky he is to have such wonderful great-grandparents in his life.  At our last visit, Pop said we had a “fine” young man.  We only hope he turns out to be as fine of a man as Pop and grow up to be as strong as you, Gran.   We hope to instill him with Christian values, a love for himself and others, a sense of security and a knowing that he is always a part of something greater than himself.  Thank you for loving him as much as we do. 

            I want you both to know that I love you more than I can even begin to express.  I love having grandparents after losing the ones on my side of the family.  I wish you many more years of love and happiness.  Again, thank you for always being there, always being supportive and always loving us.  We love you and always will.

                                                                                                Mandy

So, there's my letter to them.  While maybe not written the best, it comes from the heart.  I (and the rest of the Bailey's and everyone who knows them) am blessed to have them in my life.

Below are a few pics from the weekend festivities.  Thanks to everyone for reading the blog and enjoying our journey - 21 weeks down and a lifetime to go!