Attempted parental teaching: “Life is not just about laying in bed eating cereal, young lady.”
Response: Blank stare followed by “I’ve been around for a year and a half and I think it is clear who is in charge” smirk.
Lesson continued: “Sometimes you have to shake things up…upset the apple cart.”
Response continued: (dumps cereal into bed) (laughs)
End Lesson.
What we meant was that life is full of change and change is good, fun, scary and unstoppable.
After a few days at Grammie and Papa’s house, Grace, you and Bla Bla will come home to the same toys (and some new ones), the same bed, the same parents and the same dog but in a completely different house. We know that after a (probably very brief) period of adjustment, you will fall in love with your playroom, your backyard to ride your car, your eventual swingset and everything else worth exploring in your new neighborhood. We will love Daddy’s shorter commute, the BBQ, the garage and the lack of steep hills and stairs that we have to carry you up, and the fireplace for the coming winter.
There are a lot of things and people we will miss moving from San Francisco to San Mateo but as avid and excellent collectors of people, we will get to see those people and visit those people for the rest of our lives. You can always consider yourself “San Francisco born”, which may be impressive, no matter where you live throughout your life.
So you have to remember that change is good but it can also be traumatic…just ask Hazel when you meet her in 4 months!
We love you VERY MUCH and look forward to making this and many more changes with you in the coming years.
Love, Mommy and Daddy