My daughter moved away to New Mexico a couple years ago with her boyfriend, who had work out there. They were trying for a baby for a long time in the relationship, since they moved. Last year, they eloped and got married at a national park in Utah. I got beautiful wedding photos of them in some canyon, out in the middle of nowhere. And a month later, they came back to visit me and her dad. It was Mother’s Day and they gave us an ultrasound image and told us they were pregnant.

Truth is, I had dreaded being a grandparent. I found children I saw in stores and restaurants kind of entitled and whiny, and although I had given birth to now two adult children, I worried about how I would feel about being around a small child again. I also thought being a Grandma was a job for an old person, and although I am aging, I was not ready.

But the moment I saw the ultrasound, my heart melted. I could not wait to meet this child. And at the end of November,

Madeline was born. She was named after the story book that my daughter loved as a child. And when they came to visit in January, I held her close to me and told her stories, and never wanted to put her down. And then, eventually they had to go home. I felt like a part of me was ripped away.

The great thing is, I have been able to video chat with my daughter and the baby, and sometimes her dad and the baby. And, they send me a ton of photos. I read to her constantly, and pretty much have seen a lot of her accomplishments, and been privy to everything they have been up to. Although Madeline is now into trying to grab the phone and eat it. She even has a tooth now.

My daughter took Madeline to a botanical garden this Spring with a Mommy’s group, and sent me a photograph. I new immediately that I was going to use this photo for my daughter’s first Mother’s Day gift, one year from when I got the best gift of my life. This kid is always smiling. At least when I see her, she is. And, I love being her Grandma! And my daughter is the best momma ever!

Madeline & the Rose is a watercolor, marker, and acrylic painting on watercolor paper. 2024. I mailed it to my daughter in a mailing tube, and for two weeks the post office lost tracking on it. Finally, after I made an official complaint, they located it and it finally got to my daughter. But for a short time, I was very anxious. I am so relieved it finally got there.

The base layer

Starting with a bit more detail

Addind the rose

The finished drawing of Madeline & the Rose.