Graison's Birthday

Today is my nephew Graison's 7th birthday. He had a birthday party today and one year ago today he did as well celebrating his 6th birthday. My Mom has 7 grandchildren (6 living) and Graison is the oldest, the first grandchild. I remember the day he was born vividly as I stupidly at that time decided to stay in the waiting room all night to "support" Ryan and Carly. Her water had broken on the 22nd while I was at work. After work I went to my work wedding shower as I was going to get married in two weeks. I stayed up all night in that waiting room so to not miss the arrival of my first nephew. He arrived I believe sometime around 9 AM the morning of the 23rd. I mean I could've gone home the night before, had a decent night's sleep and showered and grabbed breakfast and still made it in time for Graison's birth. But no, I stayed up all night in that waiting room, peeking in only once on Ryan and Carly who were asleep. Sweet Carly had Graison on August 23 and stood up for me as my matron of honor on September 6, 2008. I'm sorry Carly, I don't know what I was thinking, but you didn't complain once.

A year ago today, Spencer, Amelia, Lydia and I traveled to Muncie and we picked my Mom up for Graison's birthday party. It was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme. It was my first weekend back from maternity leave and I was on call. Unfortunately call was heavy and I remember being called 16 times while I was at the party. I didn't get to socialize much, but I was able to take a few pictures.

The last picture I have of Mom and Lydia

Mom was feeling pretty well, she looked good. She would wander off without her walker sometimes and without saying a word I would just bring it and sit it by her hoping she would use it. 

I bought clothes for Graison from Mom and I. I hated to be the lame aunt but he has an abundance of toys. I picked out a card for Mom to give him. It wasn't cutesy. I knew it would the last birthday of Graison's she was at so I picked a meaningful one. I don't remember what it said but she liked it and wrote her own message in it as well. My hope was that it would be saved and he would have one last card from his Mams. 

I'm so glad Mom was here for 6 years of Graison's life. More than any of the other grandchildren, she was able to be in his life consistently, watching him once weekly for a while and taking him for occasional weekends. She was able to see one of her grandchildren start kindergarten. I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that Graison will remember her.