I was ecstatic to learn I was going to be grandma. My heart was filled with joy for the upcoming adventurous journey. I was told that there is no greater joy than becoming a grandma. I could not understand at that time how different it was from being a mother. After all I had experienced the joy of childbirth and motherhood. I had two children. How different could it be.
How unchartered could these waters be I asked. I raised two wonderful, loving, caring adults. Still, I wondered what my role would be. I began wondering what my grandchildren would call me.
For me, Â there was much decision put into what I would want to be called. I just didn’t find grandma fit the bill for me, so I explored. Glamma was a consideration given by some friends. I thought of Noni. Â but for me it reminded me of an older woman with short, curly hair dyed the color of violet and permed to the max who had armloads of love. I just described my Noni, and I knew there would be high expectations placed upon me by me to be her. I’m not sure I could’ve fit the bill.
Nope, I needed a name that was all mine. Many suggestions were offered. Nanni, Granny, Opa to name a few. None of them would work. I liked GG but learned it was short for great grandma. If I’m so blessed I will be called GG some day. Some day when I had more experience in these unchartered waters and earned a simple two initial name. For now I chose Gia. Easy peasy to say, right.
At the big reveal, I learned I would be having a granddaughter. I was thrilled even though I was so sure it would be a boy. Disappointed, not in the least. I already was thinking pink and purples, every shade. I also like turquoise and beige to be gender neutral.
It’s now been five years since I’d decided to be called Gia. Since then I’ve been blessed with two beautiful granddaughters and am no longer wondering what my roll would be. It is to be loving and supportive to these cuties. The waters continue to change but I am no longer on unchartered waters.
A rose by any other name is still grandma.
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