what's cooking?

Everything we are can be summed up by what others call us-good bad or indifferent. Some titles we earn, some we are born or have bestowed upon us by simply just being.

This week I've been thinking a lot about a new little guy's name. I've also been thinking a lot about all of mine.

The moment of my birth, I obviously became Carine. I also received the monikers of daughter and granddaughter. I've never had the honor of being a niece or a cousin. Luckily, I am a sister. Then there were the "me" years-teacher, on-air newscaster, dancer. After those years-wife, mother, aunt, sister-in-law.

Somehow, my names/titles keep growing, in a very good way! For a while, I was a business owner, supervisor-I was happy to put those aside.

A few years ago, a wonderful young man entered my daughter's life and added mother-in-law to my list. I hope I am one that is appreciated and not avoided, I assure anyone who is reading this, I make a real effort at not being the stereo-typical!

Thursday the young man and my first born gave me the honor of adding grandma to my list.

GRANDMA

Wow, I've had 8 months of preparation and yet it didn't really hit until 8:45 this morning as I was on my way to my day job. Must have been quite the site for people driving near me! There I was bawling my head off. Crying about being happy that our daughter was doing well, that the baby had the heat lamps turned off and was drinking from a bottle on his own. Crying because I was thankful I did not look like what I thought a grandma should look like! Mom, close your eyes, because you certainly do not look like this either! For some reason I think of Dorothy's Auntie Em when I think of grandmothers. I don't know why!

Several people told me I'd find this "name" the easiest--I totally beg to differ! As my handsome husband and I sat there waiting for updates, all of my titles were on the edge of an exhausting journey.

As a mom, I was worried about my baby. She had been having complications of the serious kind throughout the eight months. Due to the complications we were worried about our grandson. We were very good. Our daughter's nurse thanked us profusely for staying out of their way so they could focus on taking care of the business at hand. I, in turn, thanked them for doing just that-otherwise, curtains! Thankfully, the hospital staff did an excellent job because all three are doing very well.

Now my daughter and son-in-law are on their way home, no long a couple. They are a family. With brand new titles themselves.

Eight months ago, the arrival of this event was very unreal. Today, here I am writing about what's in a name that makes you look at yourself differently. As well as how others look at you.
As I walked outside my office to get an hourly report from my son-in-law, people in the area I work yelled out "Hi Grandma!" I waved back with a huge grin and a light heart.

Thursday at 3:03 p.m., a little boy named Dylan Brian arrived into the world. 4 lbs, 14 oz and 18" long. He's already begun his own list: son, grandson, nephew and cousin

May your list continue to grow and change.