My Favorite Saying: "Of Course You May"
When becoming a grandmother almost 4 and 1/2 years ago, like most Grandma's, I was smitten with my first grandson. He was born almost 3 months early and that made him even more precious. At the time, I decided that as a Grandma, I wanted to be as special as my Grandma (Marnie) and my grandma (Nana) were. They were two very different women, one from a small town in Southern Illinois and the other an Italian immigrant from Chicago. Although distinct women, their spirit and love for family and their grandchildren was immense. Marnie, was a spitfire, who kept reinventing herself (a yogi at 80) and Nana, a very successful business woman, providing global travel tours through her business. Both taught me different things... that left life long impressions. Nana; a great work ethic, and my love of cooking and travel and Marnie; to live life to the fullest and to make each little adventure count.
Even though my grands are all under the age of 5, I wanted to instill subtle lessons and reminders that may help them especially in times of self-doubt at any age. "Of course you may." became my mantra to them whenever they ask me a question. Unless of course, they wanted to do something dangerous. "Of course you may," means that yes, they can have that chocolate chip cookie or yes, I will play pirates or dolls, but it also means that they can do anything! And that is what I want them to remember. They can change their mind, they have the right to make decisions (although there are consequences) and that they have the ability to be in control. Much like my Grandma Marnie, I like to get down on the floor, do somersaults, make up stories, and play in the dirt but the love, affection and support she provided, was that I was special and I could do anything I wanted.
These photos were taken in Charlotte at a rooftop bar and restaurant called Merchant and Trade. A fun venue with great food! The sunsets and sites are an added bonus!
So friends we need to remember this phrase as well because we can do anything, or be anything we want at any age; start a blog, start a business, travel, change course, meet new people, try different things, continue to learn... "of course you may, my friend."
Enjoying a "French 76" cocktail while watching the Charlotte Knights play.
