I reached for the phone, which lay on the floor beside my bed, and heard the welcome voice of my son-in-law.  “Ruthmarie is in active labour now. You can come to the hospital.” In the stillness of the early morning, my husband and I quickly dressed and headed for the van. The late July sky grew lighter, as we made the hour trip to our destination. Andrew and I had raced to the hospital before for the birth of a baby, but this time was different. This time we were about to become grandparents.

When we reached the hospital, I answered the required COVID questions and practically tripped over my own feet, in my haste to reach the maternity wing. A nurse, perhaps observing this frantic behaviour, took me up to my daughter’s room. Shortly after, the cries of a newborn filled the air. My grandson lifted his head, over and over, already anxious to try out his new freedom and strength. About an hour later, the nurse bundled him tightly and placed him in my arms. Even though my husband and I had raised five children of our own, I had the irrational fear that I might drop him. He cried a little and I performed my first duty as a grandma by rocking him gently. I had longed for a grandchild, and here he was, Emerson, a beautiful child held close to my heart.

We discovered that Emerson was on the way in late November of 2019. When our daughter gave us the news, I was overtaken with happiness. Soon March of 2020 arrived. During these first bewildering months of the pandemic, our family looked forward to the new arrival. Ruthmarie told us on a messenger call that the baby was a boy! We sent Ruthmarie maternity clothes and the aunties busily shopped on Amazon for baby supplies. I imagined what he would look like and thought about how he was already deeply loved.

Although I had visions of being required to meet my first grandchild from a six-foot distance, the rules changed in time. We made the trip to the little town on the ocean, where Ruthmarie and Graham lived, as often as possible over the weeks after his birth. Images of joy, new life, warm baby snuggles, ocean waves, light and sand will always play in my mind when I think of the summer of 2020.

Words have now replaced newborn cries. Emerson is an energetic, outgoing and confident toddler. He has the heart of an explorer and is interested in every detail of his world. In between visits, we interact with him on messenger chats. He knows who we are and plays little games with us. Every visit, every chat, reminds me afresh of the wonder of being a grandma.

Valentine’s Day is about the celebration of love. This year, I am celebrating grandma love, the love of a grandma for her grandchild. Emerson captured my heart from the first moment he was placed in my arms.

My blog site is called 5 X Mama. Now, it should be, 5 X Mama and 1 X Grandma!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!