Wow, I’m a grandma!

By Sheryl Jedlinski

This weekend, I became a full-fledged grandma; no longer a grandma in waiting.

My cell phone now streams photos of Parker Sage, formerly known as Baby JJ. Arriving on March 3 (a day ahead of schedule), she brought with her unseasonable warmth and sunshine, and managed to do things her way, making her entrance before the doctor even scrubbed in. Her “touchless” delivery left her without a mark.

Well before mom and baby were cleared to receive visitors, we had photos of our son, Steve, confidently cutting the umbilical cord, holding his little girl for the first time, and swaddling her. His expression speaks volumes of his unbridled pride and love for “daddy’s little girl.” She captured his heart when he saw her image on the first ultrasound picture. Who knew that seeing my son become a dad could be as gratifying and awe-inspiring as becoming a grandparent?

Making this milestone sweeter yet is that when diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago, I gave up hope of ever being a grandma. Being toId I had a progressive, incurable condition felt like a death sentence, and I spent months weeping and grieving losses, both real and imagined. Eventually, I realized that Parkinson’s defines or limits us only to the extent we allow it to, and I did not intend to give it an inch. I worried needlessly whether Steve and Megan would trust me with tiny Parker. Ever my supporters, they never voiced a concern.

Sitting in the hospital room holding Parker close, I wondered what she would choose to do with her life. “Endless opportunities await you, and anything is possible,”I whispered to her. “If you dream, it you can achieve it.”

Parker, you are one lucky baby. Your parents and grandparents have committed to always be by your side cheering you on, loving and caring for you more and more every day for the rest of our lives!

Unconditional Love
(c) 2003 Nancy Moran

(chorus)
I wish you joy
I wish you peace
I wish you more than you will need
I wish you Unconditional Love

(bridge)
I’m a dreamer and I know it
So I hope your dreams come true
When you believe in the impossible
Everything’s possible for you

5 comments on “Wow, I’m a grandma!”

Larry Williams
March 6, 2017

Awesome article….and even more, awesome picture! She is beautiful! Larry and Tem

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Lou Guagenti
March 6, 2017

You just made my and Shirley’s day!!!! Congratulations to the entire Jedlinski family. Parker Is a truly lucky little girl!!!!!!

Lou and Shirley

Sent from my iPad

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jenny beutin
March 6, 2017

Ok on Norcor reading this ,sent me into a wailing episode! My surgery went well, biopsies came back clean and pretty sure I get to go home tomorrow! All is right with our world dear friend!❤️

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- mydancingintherain
  March 8, 2017
  
  Glad to hear you are doing well. Let’s talk soon.
  
  Reply
Sharie Freudenberger
April 5, 2017

Your writing says it all, the joy and love you have for little Parker, and the joy of being able see Steve’s love of her-isn’t that just THE best? It’s a joy I know you never felt before this. Being grandparents is a different joy and it is totally sweet joy. And, really the best is yet to come.You are gonna love each and every minute with Parker, and at the end of the visit, guess what?…you get to go home! Congratulations to you and Tony. Parker is a lucky little girl with awesome parents and grandparents like you. I share your joy which I could just feel as I read what you wrote. I felt the same way when Scott became a Dad. I babysat for Connor and Jack tonight and the things they say are priceless, and the love I have for them is as well.

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