"Notes from Nana"

Unlike families of previous generations, both my husband and I went the college route right after high school, entered private universities to obtain our Master's Degrees, and moved as far away from home as possible without leaving the continental US. As a result, all of our family members (except one) live more than 75 miles away and technology has become essential to our staying in touch. We send monthly slide shows to the family via e-mail, have created this blog to showcase our daily happenings, have unlimited wireless minutes, and receive lots of goodie boxes from out of state. In fact, we receive so many boxes that every time we do get a delivery, Kate thinks it is for her and from either "Mom Mom" or "Grand Mom".

The picture above is a sampling of notecards Kate has received and collected in the mail from her beloved Nana. She refers to them as "Notes from Nana", and doesn't dare share them with her brother (probably because he chewed the corner off of one, leaving me to tape it together and hold off the water works that ensued). Although each card says something different, Kate has them all memorized as follows:

Princess Katie-

This is NaNa. I liked your house. I miss you so much. Hi to Conor. Love Nana

Please let me add that this is not what the card says, just her interpretation of the words. Despite the content, watching her read every card with such joy and love is beautiful. We have made a box (wrapped in princess paper- surprised?) especially for her"Notes from Nana".

Thank you to all our family and friends who always remember to call, stop by, and endlessly give to simply love our children every day. Even as far as the miles seem some days, your love makes the distance transparent, and we are so grateful.