Ronnie Way

I feel like this is going to be a common phrase coming out of my mouth from now on, but I'll say it again, "it's been a busy couple of weeks".  Amidst adjusting to being a new mom and life with a newborn, we have had a gamete of family in town which means lots of trips out of the house, people stopping by, family dinners, and running around.  As happy as I am to have family so readily available, the reason was not a good one.  Two weeks ago my grandmother experienced a low grade heart attack.  Luckily, Cece and Rusty were visiting and we were there cooking dinner at her house when it happened.  Although she likely would have been able to call 911 on her own, we were all so glad that she did not have to go through that experience alone.  To make a long story short, it turns out that two of her arteries were 90% blocked thus causing her heart to work way too hard. Once at the hospital, her doctors did their best to manage her symptoms through medical management (medication) but she was still experiencing lots of pain and was having really bad reactions to the medication. Although it is somewhat risky for someone her age, they decided her best option was to put in stints into the areas that were blocked.  This was a very scary decision for her and was not taken lightly.  Thankfully the procedure was a success and she is recovering and doing much better.  She is still very weak and needs lot of help around the house. She has been on 24/7 watch and has had family with her ever since.  In the long run, she is looking into hiring someone to come to her house for a few hours a day to help with cooking, shopping, light house work etc. She is taking steps to a more assisted life style. In the longer run, she is talking retirement community.  As my mom puts it, "it takes an army to keep her in that house" and the worry of it all is becoming a burden to her.

Since we couldn't visit or help out at the hospital, Ellie and I spent a lot of time at her house while Cece and Rusty were there taking care of her.  When she was up and about, she came out to enjoy Ellie and hang out with the rest of us.  There were some very poignant moments between Ellie and her Great. It was very poignant for the rest of us when we stopped to think about the reason while we were all there. It will be a very sad and monumental day when my grandmother passes on and we no longer have the comfort of Ronnie Way that we all so dearly cherish. She is more than ready to move on.  She has said for years now that she cannot wait to hug my grandfather again and talks frequently of "when she is gone".  She is a devote Catholic and is truly happy knowing that she will be with God.  Besides her recent health issues, she is basically healthy and independent.  God willing, she still has many good years ahead.  

Ellie & her Great

I know for my family, my grandparents house has been a place of gathering and comfort.  Since we grew up in Davis, our trips to G&G's house were frequent and it became a home away from home.  That house is a physical and metaphorical icon of our childhood.  It is comforting because every picture, every sound, every piece of furniture has remained almost exactly the same.  There is something really comforting in that.  Our grandparents house is a shrine to our childhood memories and it is such a happy and joyful place for us. I suspect that without this happy home, we will feel a little lost.  Perhaps (and I say this with no guilt intended) this is because my parents have moved frequently and we have no childhood home to speak of.  We will no longer have one big roof under which we can gather. And no doting grandparents that came with it. I speak of Ronnie Way as a place, but really it is the people and experiences that filled it that we love so much.  Family dinners, Easter egg hunts out in the backyard, playing with the Muffy dolls, Christmas morning in the living room. My grandparents made their home magical for us, and even as adults we still cling on to this. This change will be hard.

The birth of Ellie has obviously profoundly changed our lives.  For my family, it comes with a lot of firsts.  First time being parents, grandparents, and aunt and uncle. I can happily say that we've all been blown away at how much our hearts can love Ellie. It is something that I certainly didn't expect and especially watching my family experience it. It brings me no greater joy than watching my parents and sister fall in love with her as much as I do. It always has been an obsession, but being closer to my family has become increasingly important now that Ellie has arrived.  If it weren't for needing a job and money, we would be up north in a New York minute. However, while Tom's job continues to be a good life support for us, moving out of the bay area is not an option. I long for having family close by to pop in and spent time with Ellie or to help out when mom and dad need to run errands or go on a much needed date.  Vacations are far and few between.  And they are costly.  I would love Ellie to have family nearby to grow up with like we did with our cousins. Unfortunately we are all spread over different states and cities making this really hard.  As we grow bigger, it is harder and harder to fit under one roof.  This doesn't stop us from trying though! We are always in search of the perfect house to fit under.  And this is something that we're always working towards.  The family compound is looking better and better. ;)