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Six more weeks until I become a grandmother! Last week I shared a Billy Collins poem with my students, On Turning 10. After reading and discussing the poem, I invited my students to write. What would I write about? “I don’t want to write about turning 57,” I said.
Chloe said, “Then write about being a grandmother.”
Aha! Thanks!
On Becoming a Grandmother
(after Billy Collins’ “On Turning 10”)The whole idea of it makes me feel
like a little girl at Halloween
dressed up in a new costume
that itches at the seams
and yet sends her off in a thrill of confidence.How a costume can transform you
into a different version of yourself– a witch,
Wonder Woman, or Cinderella–invincible
and transformative!When I think of that little boy calling me
something grand or made-up– Mimi,
Gran Gran, Nanny–I feel wonder and joy.I want to memorize the names of constellations
so I can tell him. I need to find that just right
picture book he’ll want to read again and again.
I will learn a lullaby he’ll sing in his mind
whenever he is lonely or sad.Wasn’t it just yesterday
I was the new mom?
Worries over enough milk
and enough love. I know now
there’s always enough love.–Margaret Simon, (c) 2018
Reflections on the Teche 
Wow! This is so beautiful and captures every essence of being a grandmother! In the last 3 years I have become grandma to 4! I am loving every minute I have with my precious ones.#bestjobever Enjoy!
Gorgeous, Margaret. To me being a grandmother (Brumma Janet Clare) is possibly the best thing that happened to me. I think it does depend on “your” situation, but I simply had no idea how wonderful it would be….even though I looked forward to it wholeheartedly. May you have the same “over the moon” experience. Wait till you see each stage unfold. The language growth from the babbles, the smiles, the love of books….oh so very happy for you all. Mine are now 2 y 9 mons and 3 months. Hint: Recordable Goodnight Moon is a continued huge hit. And poetry always. I start with Hoberman’s “Frog” and “Stopping by Woods”…. yes the one by Frost!!! ( Another huge benefit of knowing poems by heart is how I can gaze in their eyes when I recite.) Lucky baby.
Great advice. Thanks.
Tears. So true and perfect.
Oh, I LOVE this! Lately, I have been wondering if I will ever be a grandmother (neither son is showing signs of heading that way), so I can imagine your excitement!
My daughter is 33, so you can imagine our excitement.
That’s so beautiful! I’m so happy for you.
This is beautiful, Margaret. I can feel the anticipation inside of your words!
BTW: You don’t have to memorize the constellations because there’s an app for that! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skyview-lite/id413936865?mt=8)
Joy that fills your heart – that you thought was already filled with love – that’s a “grandmother”. Soon, dear friend! ❤
Love!
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Much to my amazement, I, too, will become a grandmother in six months. My son is 37; his partner is 40! What a surprise! I will save and cherish your poem for my own little celebration when the baby arrives. Congratulations, grandma!
Congrats to you too. Such an exciting time.
What a good idea from Chloe! It’s so exciting when you have a transformative moment. We can feel those tingles in your poem 🙂
Congratulations in advance, Margaret, on the gift of your grandchild. I was very close to my grandmother and she more than anyone stirred the writer in me. She kept daily diaries that I have now – I can open to certain pages and read about myself when I was a child, how much she loved me and prayed for me. We wrote letters to each other from the time I was very young. Your joy, your love, your words, will flow in him forever. That’s a piercing sense I get from your poem (and how wonderful was that suggestion!).
What a special gift your grandmother was! I didn’t write much when my kids were growing up. Not like I do now. I hope he will appreciate it.
Margaret, a boy! How wonderful. Being a grandmother is not like any other experience. I was in awe of Sierra tonight when watching her eat on Google Hangout. She may have been ill with a fever but that time was so special for me. You will feel every inch of this experience when your little one is born. You can start your poem collection for your grandbaby with this beautiful poem. I keep rereading your last line and know that there is truth in it. “I know now
there’s always enough love.”
One of the blessings is they are only a half hour away. Lots of face to face time. I don’t know how you handle the distance.
The distance is really difficult for me but my #oneword hope keeps me holding on. Goodnight, Grandmother to be!
Kids can be so wise. This is a beautiful tribute to your new grandchild. I used “On Turning Ten” in class today. I hope the kids and/or I come up with something as memorable as this.
How exciting…I just know you will keep your own Grandma journal filled with quirky stories and on the first page should be this poem. Beautiful! 🙂
Congratulations Grandma to be! It is the most wonderful and strangely satisfying of “jobs.” I love every single moment with my little miracles!
Oh, Margaret! This is simply wonderful. That first stanza is inspired and captures that excited/nervous feeling so well. I love the image of that little girl in her itchy, new costume, headed out so confidently and filled with joy and excitement. What a journey you are embarking on! I’m so excited for you and your family!
❤ Lovely! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
This post DRIPS with such deep joy, Margaret. What an exciting transition into this new season of life. Little Rocket has no idea what an amazing grandma is waiting to meet him!