Growing up with two sisters was great, but I always wanted a brother. I’m not sure why.  Maybe it was because I was surrounded by girl cousins, five of them, making us eight girls strong. I know I had four other cousins (two girls and two boys) but I didn’t see them much until I was older. The allure and curiosity of the unknown made wanting a brother even more important to me.

We seem to sometimes want what we don’t have or as the adage goes, the grass is always greener on the other side.

As destiny would have it, I was blessed with three sons and one daughter. Voila, boys! Birth order as follows; son, son, daughter, son. Any problem with that configuration? Apparently, my daughter thought so. Upon arriving home from the hospital with my third son and last child, she emphatically exclaimed, “Take him back, I asked for a girl!”

Fortunately, most of our family and friends had girls so Amy was relieved to have playmates to her liking.

My three sons always had an extra friend or two at our house which increased the boy ratio quite substantially. Often Amy was surrounded and sometimes overwhelmed with a dinner table of five or more males eyeing the bowl of pasta and meatballs. Out of necessity, she learned how to aggressively get her fair share.

Our house was always buzzing with noise, sibling battles, rough housing and tug of wars on chores. I remember thinking to myself that someday I would have a quiet house. Someday I would be able to relax and not stress so much. Someday, I would relinquish all the loud, over reacting and angry mother mode tendencies for a kinder and gentler woman.

Now being a Grandma has given me an onslaught of girls. The current ratio is 4:2 but this is always subject to change of course.  A new arrival is due this summer which can tip the scale either way.  Whether boy or girl, I am excited to be a Grandma again!

There is something unique and quite special about being a Grammy. That kinder, gentler woman I longed to be finally emerged. I don’t seem to stress over anything, all is good. I am so relaxed and happy when I am with any and all of my grands. It makes me happy to make them happy!

The grass always seem greener until we realize that our own grass is just perfect!

I’m glad I have two sweet sisters. I didn’t miss out on anything. I’m thankful for all my dear cousins, girls and boys. I love my three sons, one daughter, and two stepsons. They are particularity precious to me and so are their spouses. The grandchildren are my unique rewards for living a life of faith, hope and love.

Who could ask for anything more?