It Was Such a Great Idea

In 1998 I requested a blank journal for my birthday.  Its purpose was to record clever, funny things that Madeline, 4 1/2, and Susannah, 2 1/2, had been saying almost since the day they were born--knowing that I would not be able to remember them.  So...here is the journal today.

Yes, I got it.  No, I didn't write in it.  I did, however, jot down notes on various pieces of paper--just not nearly enough!  I got it out today and reveled in the memories it contains.  So, after all these years, I will transfer all notes to the journal.

I know you all have treasured memories like these....

I wrote, "Today, on the way home from Fielder Road preschool, the girls were discussing their upcoming birthdays.  Madeline said she wanted to have boys, as well as girls, at her party.  Susannah said she didn't want any boys.  Madeline then told her if she didn't invite boys she couldn't invite Gaga (Jack), because he was a boy.  Susannah said, "I don't care if Gaga is a boy!  Mommy, can I invite Gaga?  I wanta invite Gaga.  I don't care..."  Susan called and left us a message relating this incident, and at the end we could actually hear Susannah saying, "I don't care if Gaga is a boy!"

When Madeline was 5 we took a family trip to Disneyworld.  There was a wonderful pianist who played nightly at the Grand Floridian where we stayed.  One night Madeline said to Rob, "Daddy, he grew up to be a fine musician!"  At age 5!

There were tears when I read this one.  In August of 2002 when Susannah was almost 7, we were playing with my beautiful childhood dollhouse.  She began giving me a demonstration of breakable vs. unbreakable using various plastic and ceramic items from the dollhouse.  She would pick up a plastic dog and throw it down on the carpet saying, "I can throw this one down and it won't break."  Then she would pick up a breakable item and say she couldn't throw it down.  Suddenly she picked up the "Mimi" plastic figure we had bought.  She said, "I could throw this one down," and she turned toward me with the most earnest look in those beautiful blue eyes, and said, "but I wouldn't want to."

Susan and Madeline were driving Rob's Jeep.  Madeline was in her carseat and saw a pair of Rob's boots in the floor of the back seat.  She asked Susan what they were doing there.  Susan said, "Well, this is his car, you know."  And Madeline said, "Well, it's not his closet!"  (This from someone who usually had numerous pairs of dance shoes, etc. in the car.)

At age 5 Susannah asked Susan why dogs have 4 legs and people just 2.  Susan tried to explain about that being the way God created them and balanced them, etc.  Susannah said, "I know another reason.  If I walked on 4 legs you couldn't see the front of my outfit!"

There are many stories about how much the girls liked to come spend time at our house.  I realize now that there is nothing better to remember, and having specifics is priceless.  Even without the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, our memories definitely do not get better as we get older.  I would encourage all of you grandmothers and future grandmothers to take my great idea and develop it more fully than I did.