I’m spending the week in West Virginia. Well, as you read this I’ll be headed back to Florida…but today, I am in West Virginia. I came to spend the week with Babcia while the other part of the family went on vacation. It gives Babcia and I a chance to talk, laugh, play cards and just enjoy each other’s company.

This is also the week that we were to find out the gender of my little grandbaby coming in December. The plan was to have a little get-together and grill outside, and to have the family together for the gender reveal. Plans are often changed unexpectedly though. My daughter is a nurse in a hospital, meaning she is exposed on each shift she works. She found out just before I arrived that she may have been exposed to Coronavirus; all party plans were cancelled. This virus has changed things in all our lives, some things may be changed forever. For her this meant she could not be near her Babcia, who is high risk, nor could she be too close to me as I am staying with Babcia. We are constantly reminded that life as we know it is on hold, and that there is a new normal. I hate it that my daughter has missed out on some milestones of pregnancy, but she has been creative and made some milestones of her own. Rather than a party, we were treated to a video which ended in a cloud of blue… it’s a boy! My grandson is due in December.

I am beyond thrilled to be a Busia. I am even more thrilled to know that Babcia is about to be a great-Babcia. The more she talks about it, the more excited she seems to get. This little man will experience what my niece has experienced growing up, just like my daughter (his mama) before her. Now three children will one day remember how they were spoiled and doted on and loved. Every treasured piece of artwork will be hung, every boo-boo kissed, every story read aloud, every whim catered to. The cycle will repeat once more, and parents don’t stand a chance. Babcia’s house, Babcia’s rules. Babcia’s house is a place free of judgement, free of punishment, free of rules, free of “no”. Two of three children so far have grown up feeling secure in their place in the family, secure in knowing their value, secure in knowing that Babcia’s door is always open for them. Number three will soon know this as well.

Babcia and I have spent the week in isolation. We’ve had everything from groceries to t-shirts to a pool float delivered and we’ve enjoyed the convenience of Amazon and Instacart. We got to see Lindy and Jordan masked and from a distance, as well as Bunny in the same way. It has been a nice week. Today we tie up some loose ends and we will make golumpki together before I leave. Tomorrow her beloved Sophie will return from their trip and will be reunited with Babcia. They spoke on the phone last night. Babcia told Sophie, “I love you to pieces” to which Sophie replied “I love you more than two pieces”. I couldn’t help but giggle.

It’s been a good week and I will head back to Florida tomorrow with a little sadness at leaving the beauty of West Virginia and the love of family. Babcia will continue to argue with and cater to Sophie, my grandson will continue to grow in his mama’s belly, my brother and sister-in-law will continue to go about their business and life here will go on without me once more. In Florida I will go day to day as well, always thinking of them and missing them. Maybe one day it won’t have to be this way. For now though, we will abide until the next visit.

I hope that you all are staying safe and healthy. Niech Bóg was błogosławi i strzeże, may God bless you and keep you.