Confessions of a Yiayia (grandmother)

I have always felt that children come to the age of understanding, when they are old enough to listen and then ask questions.  My granddaughter was turning 3.  With God's blessings, she walks, talks, laughs and giggles like any other 3 year old.  Like her mommy, she is independent and has attitude. I have seen her pout and fold her arms, exactly as a 25 year old would do.  Like her daddy, she is inquisitive and fearless. All in all, Lexi is delightful. She did however, have one flaw, which was unacceptable, since she HAD reached the age of understanding.

Yup. Reaching the age of 3, she still wanted her Binky (pacifier) at bedtime.  When she was told that the 'Binky Fairy' would be visiting the night before her 3rd Birthday, she was confused and visibly upset. "Why is the Binky Fairy coming here, mommy?" she asked, wanting to know.

"To pick up your Binkies and bring them to the babies that need them. You'll be three years old tomorrow and big girls don't need Binkies" her mommy answered, adding, "you know that, right?" Lexi nodded in agreement and watched as her mommy wrote the 'Binky Fairy' the following note.."Take my three Binkies to little babies. I am a big girl now. Love, Lexi." After hearing the words of the letter, she helped her mommy, wrap a pretty pink, satin ribbon through the 3 Binkies and attach the note. Then, together, they went outside and placed it on a low hanging tree-branch, so that the Fairy could pick it up that night.  The following day, her birthday, Lexi saw that the Binkies and the note had vanished from the tree! (Little did she know that her daddy, was ordered, by her mommy, to take them off the tree and throw them in the outside garbage pail, before sun-up.)

Two days passed; sleeping at night was a bit difficult for Lexi. The first night, she tossed and turned; finally finding sleep in the comfort of her mommy's arms. The second night, she fell asleep in front of the TV, snuggling with her dolly (something which she had never done before). It seemed to have worked! The Binky was gone and she had survived. On the fourth day, following the schism, Lexi was staying with me and Mr. Mou.

It was her nap time, and I felt she was getting sleepy. "Lexi, let's take our nap here on Yiayia's couch," I suggested. She walked over and before speaking, looked all around the room. I thought that was quite strange.  Then, slowly, she touched my face and pulled my ear so very close to her mouth. I had no idea what she was about to say, but I knew it was serious!

"Yiayia Krissy.. I love you, so much." Oh my God, I thought. This kid is precious! Before I had a chance to respond, she continued. "Yiayia, did the Binky Fairy come to your house, too?"  I was not prepared for that question.  She had melted my heart with her sweet proclamation of love!

"No, Lexi. The Binky Fairy did not come to my house," I answered  softly.  She pulled away from me and I saw her smiling face.

"Yiayia! Let's get the Binky from the playroom!" Happily, she ran into the bedroom, (now converted to the grandkids' playroom), and found her Binky.  I DID, honestly, I DID.. tell her that this was the LAST time she would be using it, because the Fairy WOULD BE coming to my house that night.  "Yiayia, don't worry," she said, adding, "no one will see I have it." She cupped her little hand and covered the Binky, as she fell asleep instantaneously. 

Of course, I did not tell anyone. I am only confessing to you, now.  I am a mush.  I did a bad thing, I admit it.  If any one of my 4 grandchildren want something, all they have to do is 'use the right words' and they will receive it. I don't know what has happened to me!  I was not always this way! It wasn't that way with my own children. I was strict.  Ok, fine.. I was not strict..but Mr. Mou was [strict].  Being that we were a "team", I was 'strict by association'.  It's the truth. But now, I am  weak. I guess, I am everything a yiayia is suppose to be.  I have become a  push-over for merely a kiss!!  A week has passed since my unthinkable act, so I am assuming that even if my daughter did read this blog, she would just smile and forgive me!                                                                    

Peace.