She’s my mom, but she is the quintessential Babcia. Anyone who has a Polish babcia knows what I’m talking about. Babcias feed you until you can’t breathe. Babcias are your partner in crime. Babcias always think you are right and your parents are wrong. Babcias love harder than anyone. Babcias have sharp tongues. Babcias have no rules.

Mama Zytka became Babcia when my daughter was born 28 years ago. It was then that she began to use her mind control to turn my child against me. She was cooler, she was more fun, she loved my daughter most. You want cookies for dinner? Why not. You want to cut up your clothes to make a pirate costume? Go ahead. You want to go to Walmart and buy one of each variety of Barbie outfit and accessory? It’s on me. You want Burger King for lunch every day this month? Absolutely. No was not a word that she could use; there was never any hesitation or thought of consequence. Then when I’d get there to take my child home, if I showed even the tiniest bit of annoyance at what had transpired that day, all Lindy had to do was make a sad face. At that point, I’d get the piteous accusatory “Is your mother being mean to you?” We moved to Florida and that minimized the attacks quite a bit.

The saga continued eight years ago when my niece was born. It’s Lindy all over again. You want to color the entire front porch with chalk? Sounds cool! You want to mix up everything in the pantry and see what happens when you cook it? It’ll be an experiment! You want to eat a snack and pre-dinner before your mom comes after you? Of course you’re hungry, you’re a growing girl. You want to glue things to the Pergo floor in the living room? Eh, the floor is old anyway.

Her sharp tongue is just as fierce as her capacity to love. Everyone knows, you do not cross Babcia. The only exemptions from her anger are her grandchildren, and even they take a tongue lashing now and then. The difference is that if you are a grandchild it will be forgotten within moments. If you are anyone else, prepare yourself for a six month stalemate at the end of which you will apologize and admit you may have been wrong just to get past it. Even then, nothing ever really “goes away” and gets completely forgotten.

Babcia is the best friend and confidante you will ever have. Babcia is the loyal playmate who will always be up for a game or a story. Babcia gets angry like no other, Babcia loves like no other. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have a Babcia. ❤