I’ve said this before, but Babcia is a smart cookie. She notices things. Sometimes she notices things you don’t want her to notice which is uncomfortable, but nonetheless, she pays attention. She’s quick with a joke or remark. Once she commits herself to learn something, she learns it and doesn’t look back. She is always learning and growing and I love that about her.

I’d like to say she had two very bright children. I’ll start with my brother. I’ve always considered the Polebilly Prince to be one of the smartest people I know. I’ve always been proud to call him brother. He is very quick witted, socially aware, learns new things with ease, and seems to understand complicated ideas without even trying. I’m a little jealous honestly. Ok, I hate him. (Just kidding lil bro) As for me, I like to think I am a good student. I am good at studying. I apply myself and learn well. I pick up on things… concepts, ideas, people. I’m a lyrical genius.

Our greatest triumph though is our children. Sophie and Lindy are both very intelligent, highly observant and perceptive, and quick witted themselves. I guess those smarts have been handed down and strengthened with age and progression. I can only assume they will have been perfected when Lindy gives birth to my grandchild in December and that child will be the ultimate specimen. It just follows the pattern. Nailed it!

It isn’t just our immediate family. Despite all the derogatory jokes I’ve heard over the years, the Polish people I know (family and otherwise) are all some of the smartest people I’ve ever known. My cousins are all very smart, my aunts and uncles too, and my cousins’ children… all of them have the Polish forehead (slightly larger to encase their huge brains). I have it. That’s why I can’t wear my hair all pulled back. Some say it looks less than optimal but I think my big forehead is threatening to others because they know what’s in there. Marie Curie had a big forehead. Go look, I’ll wait.

Polish people have been the butt of jokes for a long time, but honestly we can take it because we know it’s unfounded. We can even laugh at the jokes and at ourselves. We can even tell the jokes. Babcia loves a good Polish joke and has heard them all. It doesn’t bother her because she knows they aren’t true. She laughs and sits content in knowing that her grandchildren and great grandchildren will run the world. There is a quiet confidence in that. Acumen and perceptiveness are part of our makeup… and we promise to use our powers for good.