It is with extreme pleasure that I announce that Babcia has been promoted. Her new title? Pra babcia (great grandmother). Brodee came to be with us on November 17 and our lives are forever changed. For Babcia, that meant a well earned promotion in status. Her duties have widened, as she will now have to impart all that wisdom and stuff on to yet one more wide eyed soul. Yet another child to be spoiled, taught, and relinquished to the wonderful world of Babcia. This kid has yet to understand how lucky he is. Those parents have yet to understand the uphill battle they face.

As I’ve mentioned before, the rules go out the window with Babcia. Before long this kid will be painting various objects around her house, cutting up her linens to make something artistic, dancing to polkas in her living room, and learning who Bobby Vinton is. He will be worldly, wise and limitless. It is an unstoppable train that has just left the station. Oh the things he will do and see and hear. Brodee is the newest little pierogi in her collection. Babcia read stories to my brother and I in silly voices and taught us games and songs from her childhood. She taught my daughter Polish words and encouraged her to sing out loudly. She plays games with Sophie and lets her use Babcia’s things as props in her play. What will Brodee be given? What will he learn from her? I hope it’s every whim of fancy he has. To be a child with a Babcia is a wonderful gift, and he has yet to understand that.

Pra babcia is very excited about this milestone in her career as well. She has prepared for this her whole life. She is ready. Ready to squeeze, to cater, to teach and to pour her love out over his existence. She will be his biggest fan and supporter through it all. She will cover for his mistakes, and push him to do all he dreams of. She will keep his secrets and ignore his shortcomings. She glows from the love she gives as much as, if not more than, the child who is so lucky to receive it. Brodee will never go without, and will never be told no. At least not by pra babcia. He will flourish and grow as he soaks up every bit of her laughter, her love of life, her love of family, her determination, and her strength. Lucky kid.

All this she gives with no expectation of payment or return; it is given straight from her heart. And pra babcia’s heart is full right now. She can’t wait to meet her newest little protege. While she carries just as much love for the children before Brodee, he is a new project for her and she lives for this opportunity to impart her full heart upon him. It is what she was made for. For all the sadness and injustice she has known in her life, she remains strong and full of hope and love, and she can’t wait to give it all away. That is love in it’s truest form. That is what pra babcia is all about.