21 Comments

Such depth of experience lace this singular life event -this milestone- of being grand in a child’s life. Nora is assured a grand experience in the gift of you as her Netti. All my best if this new journey. Congratulations to all.

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Thank you, Holly, for these kind words.

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Thank you! And I love “Adora Nora”!

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I’m just now discovering that I somehow missed several of your blogposts. How did this happen, I wonder? This post is so moving--honoring that there is always loss that makes these beautiful gains more precious. Congrats, Netti!

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I can relate a lot to your life. But I do love my grandchildren. Was able to be with them as much as possible as I was a single mom with grown children and and a small one. This brought lots of memories. Congratulations on your first grandchild. ❤️ love 💕

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Cookie—I know your love for grandchildren. They are so lucky! And I’m glad I have such amazing role models for my future!

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Oh my...sooo beautiful!! You captured a lifetime of emotion! I understand the breakdown in the soup aisle. Sometimes we never know when the 2x4 hits us over the head and the tears flow. I am so glad you have shared this because so many us experience the flashbacks and tears at unprecedented times. Congratulations Netti and Pappy on the birth of "Adora Nora"!!

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Sooo beautifully put, each word, each sentence....you are amazing. I love Netti, both the name and you.

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Thank you Nana! I’ve had a few good role models.

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How wonderful for you and Mark with Nora Susan entering your lives. Thanks for your heartfelt piece. You will be a beautiful Netti.

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Now that my friends are calling me Netti I feel so comfortable in the name! Thank you!

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Re: grandparent's names.

.I waited til my grandson made his name for me, "Wooshie." He us now 28 and still calls me that. I love it.

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Wooshie might be the best name ever!

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Annette--your words speak so many feelings! I smile and I cry! This is soo beautiful!! Love you all!

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Thank you! Miss and love you too.

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Annette-your heartwarming stories move me in different ways every time. I am away for a few weeks but would love to talk to you when I get home. I have a story that I want to share with you and to get down on paper. It just hit me as I read this. 😊 You are a gifted and brilliant writer who gets it-being human.❤️

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Thank you Mary Carol. I'm so thankful for your kind words. I would love to get together soon.

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Beautiful writing, as always, Annette. As I am in the midst of parenting teenagers, this piece gave me pause, to remember the help I had from our parents when my boys were young (while also enduring many losses and an uncertain future). The main reason we are adding onto our home now is to have a place for these teens to return when/if they have families and possibly for one of our parents to reside if needed. So, while I'm not yet at the grandparent stage, it's definitely in the corner of my mind's eye! Very thought provoking piece. Thank you.

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Thank you Heather. Remembering that kind of help is such a gift. Our parents didn't always know what they signed up for, when they had kids. Nor do we. How wonderful you have a place for parents to age into, alongside your teens!

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I love this piece. I recently read that a tribe would not let anyone who was angry near a pregnant woman while she "built" a baby. The mom and baby need peace and love to form a human. Gathering, helping, supporting and nurturing that precious bundle and her family will set her on a solid path and that's what you're great at. Congratulations!

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That is an incredible piece of insight and wisdom. It’s really true and it’s worth digging deep into our wounds to come out on the other end for the sake of new life.

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