Letter to Lil Man:

Dear Kevin D. (aka “Lil Man) Thomas:

You are a child who is blessed with a mother and father that love you.  When I held you in my arms the day you were born, it brought back memories of when I held your father in my arms.  Like your father before you, I knew you were a fighter with a strong spirit.  Even now, almost 7 months later, I can see the love in your eyes just as I saw it in his.  When you reach for your mother, in your eyes, you are reaching for your guardian angel.

I may not show my emotions much, but they are there.  I would lay down my life for you, your mother, your brother and sisters, your father and/or your uncles on any day of the week. That is how much I love you all.  One day you will know what I mean by that but for now I log that here.  Maybe one day, when you are old enough to read it, then you will understand that our blood runs deeper than the muddy waters of the Mississippi River and our ancestry is important–all sides of it so embrace it and learn about it.

While I am here, I will show you what I can, but the rest will be up to you one day.  May you walk in beauty.  May the road rise up to meet you and the wind be at your back as well.  Above all,  These are blessings from  2 parts of your ancestry–the Irish and the Native American. You must also learn of all of your ancestors for there are valuable things you can carry through life with you.  I do know that  a wise person will always find his or her way (from a Tanzanian proverb) and that is my hope for you–to find a way–YOUR way in life.  

Know who you are and where you come from. That is something nobody can ever take away from you. Above all, when you are older, live your life and go for your dreams. That is my hope for you.

With Love,

Nana

PS:  Sleep well, Lil Man…

 

Nana Gets the Double Whammy!

I am not expecting a grandchild…I’m expecting TWO!  I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I feel kind of torn.  All I can say is, the 2nd one will probably be here two to three weeks after the first one and I have massive planning to do…I was almost to a point where I could plan around one–but two that close together? Oh boy…I always said if it’s weird or unusual it will happen around here when I’m around…

I can get to the front of the checkout line at Wal~Mart and the power will go dead–among other things.  Can someone send me a bottle of  Hendrick’s Gin? I could really use a few mixed drinks about now…I know this much–better those girls than moi! Now I’ve got to figure out the Holidays every year all over again–and it’s going to be weird…

Then I hear the youngest really leaning toward naming his son AFTER another family member. To me this is a big no-no. I don’t go for that.  It’s just a thing with me that it seems rather silly to give a child a name they’d have to live up to–or one he or she would end up changing as an adult because he/she hates how it sounds–or he/she simply didn’t like the story behind it…  A child’s name is to be something taken very seriously. It is something they will own, and the responsibility should not be taken lightly.

I held my babies for a bit before I could even begin to come up with a name.  Then when I did, it just felt right. Sure I pondered several but the names REALLY came to me when I held them…It was the most awesome feeling to look into the child’s eyes and know I picked the right name, even though my middle son doesn’t like the meaning of his.  Oh well…Such is life. He can get over it.

Picking names for a baby is not that hard, but some people make it a chore.  I think my way is the better one.  I never needed a baby name book either….

The Great All American “Nanahood”–Part 2

As much joy as I have over a grandson coming into this world, something happened this week that raised the hairs on my head and made me have one of my “moments”…It was a moment in that I was so mad, I just wanted to lash out at someone I perceived was being total dipstick. WARNING: IF you are sensitive to graphic descriptions, skip down to the 4th paragraph now.

As some know, my son Kevin was hurt in an oil-rig mishap yesterday.  He has to follow-up with a doctor.  He has abdominal bruising and muscle  injuries but no broken bones (Thank God!).  He found out very quickly that his mama is very protective and if she perceives that someone is not following safety protocols she gets all bent out of shape…OUT of shape enough to tell off his bosses.  When I saw the awful bruising and swollen places where he landed when thrown on the platform today, I almost totally blew because they allowed him to leave the rig with his brother rather than call an ambulance.

Here’s the catch.  Kevin told them he was going to have Eric take him because if he waited on the ambulance he might have died.  Seriously…After thinking for a few moments, I realized that he was right and calmed down.  Kevin said he honestly thought one or two of his organs got knocked through his abdominal wall and was trying to hold them in!  I was not told this by any of my sons when he was first taken.  I later learned this was like blood pockets from bruising but some things show up later rather than sooner so he is going to follow-up.

I am sorry to be so graphic but as I heard this, he also made a statement that almost made me cry.  “Mama…When I landed and saw how it looked, my first thoughts when to my unborn son.”  I didn’t cry when he said it, but I had those thoughts as well as I waited to hear word on his condition.   Seeing his injuries made me stop and take a deep breath.

As a sergeant in corrections, we played “What if?” games to prepare for certain things.  I realize whether my son made it nor not, I am responsible for Daphne and this baby–not to mention the other three children because he is the only father figure they have really known. I do feel they are going to see a big difference in his outlook on life after this incident.  I do not have much, but they are my family too, and if it is within my power, they will be taken care of–especially if anything were to ever happen to my son.

I am so grateful that he was spared.  His job is a dangerous one.  This is the 2nd time he’s been hurt and since he is my youngest, it scared the living hell out of me.  I also learned that this young man has gone through some emotional growth since he found out that he is going to be a father.  I saw the look in his eyes as he told me how his thoughts went to the baby.  To see a father so deeply love his own unborn child moves me in ways that he cannot even imagine.   I won’t cry in front of him but I did later.

This baby is one lucky boy.   He is going to have a devoted and loving dad, and this mother is very proud of her youngest son–even if she wishes he could go back to college rather than risk his life any further.

I think that Kevin also learned that he is still the youngest and is always going to be the baby of this family.  This family pulls together.  This family will take care of its own.  I can be over an hour away, but I will get there when I am needed.  I am proud of his brothers for rallying around him.  I know in my heart now that if push comes to shove, they will be there for one another–even when the day comes that I am gone and can no longer be there for them. That gives me some peace of mind.

Goodnight all!  Have a link on me!

This is a beautiful Native American number and I find it highly peaceful and comforting right now:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTri6Rf4rVU&list=PL1371296F1DB8A173&index=14&feature=plpp_video

 

I learned to be very thankful in the past 48 hours...Please go check out this blog too. Very good stuff!