Inspiration

 Inspiration~ Annie Laurie

Inspiration is defined as “The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. “

I thought I’d share with you the inspiration behind one of the main characters in my 2nd book. There are really 4 main characters... my grandma, her best friend, 6 children and a little cottage in the northern pine woods in Michigan. Each is unique.

I was trying to think of what to blog about today and I realized that I have a lot of new friends. I am lucky enough to be very good friends with the children that grew up with me. I am still friends with kids that I went to kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. I’m still in touch with my best friend from college. Thankfully, I am still friends with my teacher friends from when I taught school. My favorites are the children who have found me on Facebook. I have one that said she became a teacher because of me. What better compliment could a person ever receive? I am humbled and honored.

But when it comes to this season in my life, I find myself very inspired by my grandmother. Anne Laurie Dix Dudley, my beautiful grandma that I lost so many years ago has become such important person in my life and in my memories. Anne, Annie, Annie Laurie as she was called by her adult friends and family. As a child she was called Lolly. I’m not sure how that precious nick name came about but I absolutely love the name. I secretly hope my grandchildren call me Lolly, but it is my understanding that children give you the name you will be called and that’s that. I never called my grandmother Lolly. To me and all my sisters and cousins she was and will always be Grandma. Grandma, the grand of all the ma’s. I imagine it’s kind of like being Queen Mother. You get all the perks without having to do all the hard work. Grandma, a person so loving and deserving of love that they are grand. My grandma has become my inspiration for the kind of grandma I hope to be.

I have one, adorable grandchild. I’m here to tell you all that are not grandma’s yet, people before us are not lying when they say it’s the best. Remember when you had your children and that burst of love exploded from your heart? Well, this is the same thing but a little better. By this point in life, you are in a place where you are a little calmer about the world around you. You’re not all consumed by the daily grind of taking care of your children.

So, when you grandchildren come over to see you, the grandma or grandpa can be there to just pour out the love from our hearts. Yes, there is a little disciplining as well but it’s not quite the same. The other day for example, my grand baby bit his daddy. He’s only 1 and those teeth are new and ready to be tested. (See... I’m already coddling). After he was disciplined by his parents, I called him over to me for a hug. Of course, my daughter reprimanded me not to pamper him. Ha-ha I’m sure when and if he bites me, the roles will reverse. I’ve been bit before; I can take it. But, yes, my children are in charge of their children. It is not my role to interfere with their techniques. I have made it a whole year... only 50 more to go.

Today, I feel that the world around us has changed so very much. Many of these changes are fabulous but some have become very destructive. I just got off the phone with my best friend from my childhood. And by phone, I mean we were facetiming with each other as we have for years now. We are lucky because as life marched on, we still were able to keep in contact with each other. When Facebook appeared on the scene, I was reunited with all my childhood friends who I had lost touch with because I moved from my hometown. But then you look at all the angst and arguments that happen online, it’s crazy and damages your soul. But what a blessing a cell phone has become. We can call someone in an emergency. We can use it for directions. We can find gas stations within the next ?? miles so that we don’t have to run out of gas. So many useful ways of using this one little device that has become such an important part of our lives. And I will admit, my little precious boy calls me via facetime a few times a week to talk to his Grandma. He laughs when he sees me then carries me over to some unknown destination in the room. It’s ok, I’m very capable of walking and talking at the same time.

Children learn by holding the actual book in their hands, the rich history of the books. The paper, the smell, turning the pages, reading from top to bottom, left to right, stopping to read the title page, the dedication page and about the author. Every part of the book is precious and has it’s place.

Grandma, I will always love you and am so grateful to have had such an amazing, loving, kind woman as you to be my role model. Thank you so very much. Lisa