Oct, 12, 2012

Hello Rylan Nahum! Welcome to life! Welcome to the family! Welcome to the world! I can't tell you how happy I am that you are here and that your very presence is a big plus sign on the ledger in my life. I couldn't be happier or proud of you! You and I are going to need some time to know each other. I am confident we will have plenty and I so look forward to spending time getting to know you. I am absolutely certain you are going to be an outstanding and remarkable young man some day. As for now, you are among a handful of babies that I say are the most beautiful in the world. As I write, only you and a very tiny number go into that class in my mind. I am so sorry your little journey began in such a traumatic way. You got a raw deal 'Lil Dude'. You were suppose to arrive smiling and cooing and instead you got hot lights and what must have seemed like aliens with their various probes. I am upset this happened to you and probably will be for many many years to come. I think you will find as you grow and we grow our relationship that anything that is contrary to your wants and least desires will upset me. That is how I roll. I like my babies happy and spoiled. I promise now to endeavor to do just that with you. I will defend you no matter how rotten you get, how wrong you are or how spoiled you become. I pledge to you as your grandparent to fight with you the powers that be in your life that will try to contain your happiness in ways contrary to our mutual belief that the best rule for you is 'YOU RULE". I want to tell you about your family. Paternal family that is. You, my grandson, are a McIntyre. Second only to being a Brewer, you are part of the clan McIntyre. Of course, you have family besides the McIntyre's, but I am no authority on them and they will fill you life with joy and information about themselves. Your Papaw Gary is a good man. He won't ever let you see or tell you but he is a pushover for babies. He is so in love with you, he can't contain it. He grins without reservation at the sight of you and the news of your progress. A big ole grin much like the one you will come to know on the face of your Uncle Gary Keith. Now, it is my job to warn you about all the tricks and games your Papaw Gary is going to play on you. First, he will steal your nose. He will take it away and listen to you squeal for his own pleasure. He will later 'milk your mouse'. A cruel cruel game he plays Rylan. I will do my best to protect you from him. He is going to tell you stories that will infuriate you and make you laugh at the same time. He thinks these things are funny. I promise to save

you from him if you ever ask. Next, I want to tell you about me. I am your step grandmother. I do not care for that title. You and I will work that out as you grow. Long ago your mom and I made a pact that there would never be any steps in our family except those leading into the house. You and I will make our own pact. Agree to what is and isn't appropriate. I can't wait to start down this road with you. There is so much for you to learn and I plan to be a part of all of it. Tonight, your Mom asked me what would I like for you to call me. I answered, It doesn't matter. The others (who are not really my grandchildren in any sense as you are) call me Gran Gran. She wondered if I might like Mamaw or Grandma. I have to think about this. As for me, either is okay. I don't care if you call me Mrs McIntyre. It is only important to me that you do call me! You will learn that our family is complicated. There is complicated protocol and intricate diplomacy afoot at all times. In this regard, you will learn. What may seem perfectly normal to you, will be hurtful to another. We must tread lightly with all our decisions about who is whom and what we say. As to you and I. I am going to tell you what I told your Mom and Uncle Gary years ago. We are not in the middle of anything. We are a family outside all the complications of failed marriages and the problems those things bring to a family. We don't get involved. We let the others worry about that and we are just happy either way. Being in a family like ours is a promise we make everyday to stay engaged in each others lives. We make a choice EVERYDAY to be in or out of each family we are a part of. Sometimes, without meaning any harm or ill feelings, someone decides not to participate for a day, week, or even a month. WE WAIT. WE COME BACK and we soilder on as a family. That is my defintion of our family. Welcome and feel free to abuse the rules and our feelings just as those ahead of you have when they had their 'phases'. Sometimes Papaw and I have phases too! Imagine that! At any rate, I want to tell you only one more thing. I want to tell you who your paternal family is. You came from a family that is strong. Strong in ways that do not always indicate strength. They are deep lovers of each other. Generations out, the influence of your Mamaw Allie is all around us. I am sure you will get many of the values she taught your Papaw and your Mom instilled in you. I hope you will. I hope you get the work ethic, family values, and sense of pride that your Papaw Green instilled in his sons and daughters. Papaw Green believed in every man caring for his family and minding his own business. He was a good man. I never met him either. We both missed a good thing I think.

Mamaw Allie was one of a kind. You will get to know her through all of us who knew her. I imagine she is so proud that she is ashamed of herself looking down on you today. I know she loved all her kids and grandchildren. Seemed everyone, as the came, became more and more precious to her. That would make you the first of the youngest grand child! I am sure she would want you spoiled as much as we can do that. You have tons of family. I am sure your daddy has some really cool relatives that want to instill their values and beliefs in you as well. I'm going to tell you a secret about your Dad. I hardly know him. I'm still watching him. I think he is a good guy. He certainly seems to make your Mom happy and so far we haven't had any complaints from your mom or anyone. I think he is gonna be alright. We are going to get to know him better because of you. Sweet one, they have been really busy getting their future in order and preparing for you to come. We have been hanging back and waiting. With your arrival, that time is up. We are going to invade them. We will get to know you and your Dad at one time. I hope he will be as joyous as you. I do doubt that a burp from him is going to be as adorable, but we will endeavor to try. I am kidding. I think he is a good guy. I have every reason to trust my daughter's judgement. I think you are in good hands. As to your mom, well I could write a book. I will not. I will just tell you that she was the most precious little girl I ever saw. I fell for her before you Grandpaw and I fall again everytime I see her. She is the center of our little family. Your Uncle Gary Keith always demanded more but your Mom gave more. Both great kids and I am thankful to God for them both. See Rylan, these are the only two people on the earth I can call 'my' kids. I have tons of nephews and nieces, but none are my son and daughter like your mom and your uncle. That little one, makes you special beyond all others! This makes you "my baby's baby'! That is a serious title. What that means is you ARE 'it'. The one. The baby baby. You are also going to have a wonderful family in your Mamaw Susies' side. I hardly know your Granny. I know she is a good mom. I know she loves her kids without bounds and I know she will dote on you and spoil you too. I would give you this little piece of advise about her. Expect her to worry without end, love you with no bounds and treat you like her own. When she does that, combined with the love and guidance you will get from your papaw and I, you will find it makes for a great recipe for good kids. I know you will. You also have Papaw Jerry and Mamaw Connie, I won't say much. You will figure you this out soon enough for yourself. They will be more than you can imagine to you. They have to be hands down some of the best grandparents I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Suffice to say, expect loving, doting, over protection.

Now, There is little to add except that I have family that will love you too. Your Aunt Anna has been praying at all hours with me. As well, you have cousins galore. Mom will tell you what you need to know about them. I will tell you this : NEVER TRUST MARLEA! Joking. In the end, I just want you to know who I am from the start and to know that I love you more than anything. I want the best for you no matter the cost or the trouble. I want you to be happy at the expense of all others as long as it is reasonable and fair. I promise to help do just those things for you. Papaw does what I say for the most part. You are going to be amazing. I feel blessed to be a part of your life. Your friend and undeterminded title, Gwen.