Northgrove Notes

The task of writing comes with unique challenges. For some, their words flow like a babbling brook, meandering slowly through serene landscapes or choppy and churning up splashy gurgles as water that dances and cascades over the rocks in its wake. Not so, for me. My own voice cannot keep up to the ‘splashy gurgles’ of my mind. The words in my head are much more descriptive and my thoughts paint more elaborate, creative pictures than my tongue ever will. 

But what to write? A series of memoirs for my descendants, a blog, fiction? A cookbook? The possibilities are vast! I think that the “what” is yet to be discovered. Greg Anderson’s words rang out clear when I read, 

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found in not finishing an activity but in doing it.

My youngest granddaughter was born at a time when the world was on high alert. Hospitals were not allowing visitors and people were not going into one another’s homes. My heart was overjoyed with the news of her arrival! Kate was my 4th grandbaby and I was so excited for her to join the family, however, there was no clear time scheduled when it would be appropriate for me to meet the wee darling. Her parents regularly sent me pictures of Kate as she settled into life at home, under the watchful eye of her big sister, Hailey.

I considered writing “Letters to Kate” at that time. Stories to pass on to my children and grandchildren. Thoughts, memories, values, and/or recipes. Passages that they will be able to look back on and know me a little bit better. We never know how many birthdays we will be blessed with and the idea of writing my thoughts down for this little one, or any of her generation, to read some day was appealing to me. Thus began the planning of this blog. Some years later, Letters to Kate and other tales from this Northgrove Nana are beginning to take shape.

To finish my story…. A few short months after her birth, I was thrilled to be invited for a visit with this young family. Kate was placed into my arms and she just smiled and snuggled close. To this day, Kate continues to light up any room that she enters and sees the world through an inquiring mind. She loves outdoor fun, puzzles, everything Disney and baby dolls.

Stay fabulous, sweet Kate!