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Welcome to familywisdom.com, a website dedicated to informing and inspiring couples and families. Each week you will find a new article, story or essay about parenting, marriage or life. Suggestions for articles and questions to Ellen Terich are welcome. You can contact her at e.terich1@verizon.net |
BIRTHDAY WISHES 2004-06-02 Today is my granddaughter Grace's first birthday, the day she moves from being a baby to a toddler, the day she steps into the world of childhood. Actually, there is no such day of demarcation between infancy and toddlerhood, but all of sudden as she approached her first birthday, Grace seemed to become more of a participating member of a family and less a helpless infant who needed to be cared for by others. This transition out of the helpless stage begins, I think, when a baby starts walking. While we can't know for certain what goes on in the minds of these little ones, it almost seems as if when they stand on their own and begin walking like the older people in the family, they begin to think they can do what everyone else can do. When Grace began walking, she would wander off on her own, then come back, take the hand of a grown-up and lead them where she wanted to go. She would reach up and get things on her own and point to those things she couldn't quite reach. She would run after her mommy when mommy left the room and sneak out the back door if it was left open a crack. Since beginning to walk, Grace also seems more aware of other people, especially other children. She especially loves babies. At her birthday party on Sunday, Grace was fascinated by six month old twins. Every chance she got she toddled over to them and reached for their faces which particularly seemed to fascinate her. That her favorite present was a new baby doll was no surprise. Grace took to the doll instantly, hugged it and began carrying it everywhere. It even had to sit next to her when she had her birthday cake. As for the cake, Grace refused to eat it until someone gave her a spoon. Then, as if she had been eating with silverware all her life, she scooped up a bite and shoveled it into her mouth. A few minutes later, in her new awareness of other people, she offered bites to everyone. While I hated to see Grace's first year go so fast, I love seeing her find her place in the world of other people. And, because Grace is too young to understand the tradition of making a wish as you blow out the candles on your cake, I have a few birthday wishes for her to celebrate her new independence as well as her ever-increasing socialization. I wish for Grace the lifelong support and love of family and friends. I wish for her the ability to be a good friend, generous and loving, loyal and steadfast. I wish for her as well the ability to stand up for herself without becoming hostile or bitter when others treat her poorly. I wish for her the ability to stand on her own two feet, as well as the humility and graciousness to accept help from others when she needs it. I wish for her enough popularity with her friends that she does not feel alone, but not so much that she places more importance on popularity than on learning, giving, and behaving with love and courage. Finally, I wish for her a lasting friendship with her older brother, a loving relationship with her mother and father (even when she enters her teen years) and a constant awareness that her grammy and grampy love her beyond what any words could ever express. Happy Birthday Grace! |