I'm afraid that when last I spoke of my beloved mother-in-law Mommy I was worrying/whining about her decidedly non-Mommylike behavior over the summer. She was not at her best.
So in order to return Mommy to her place in all of your minds as the Sweetest Mother-in-Law Evah, I would like to share a voicemail she left for me the other day. Jude had called her from his phone to say hi, which delights her tremendously. I'll suddenly hear him talking in the other room, thinking it's one of his friends, but then I'll realize that he's called Grandma and Grandpa. It's really darling. So anyway, after this one particularly long conversation she left me the following message, which I am transcribing word-for-word. Enjoy...
MOMMY
Gretchen? It's me. Just called you to tell you...thank you so much
for such a beautiful grandson. He. Is. A. Marvel. I just started to cry
because he speaks so good and knows so much. And this is all part
of you and spending so much time with him. I thank you. Oh I can't
believe he's so smart and so beautiful. Ah! Thanks again. I had
to call you to tell you that. We had a wonderful conversation.
I told him 'Jude I love ya so much, call me whenever ya can.'
Okay, babe. Thanks a lot. Tootleoo.
Can you stand it? So dear. Don't you just want to give her a hug? And yes, Mommy really does say "Tootleoo". Lucky me.
I've always loved Mommy --even her bitter, weird side. But that just takes the cake right there -- so wonderful. And it's all so true!
Posted by: Elizabeth Aquino | 11/05/2014 at 07:40 PM
She is wonderful! And so is Jude. I love that he calls her! This is the sweetest thing I've read this week!
Posted by: Ginny Marie | 11/06/2014 at 05:23 AM
What a sweet little boy. Just think in 20 years he will be calling you just to say hello.
Posted by: Sharon, The Mayor | 11/06/2014 at 06:56 AM
You really are lucky to have such great in-laws. It's nice when family can be friends.
Posted by: VandyJ | 11/07/2014 at 07:49 AM
Mommy reminds me a lot of the Italian lady I stayed with for two weeks in Rome this summer.
And she's totally right--you've got a great kid if he voluntarily calls his grandparents on his own accord!
Posted by: A.J. Cattapan | 11/08/2014 at 11:48 AM
BMILE is truly kind to so fully appreciate Jude. And to tell you what a great job you are doing. And Jude for calling. That says a lot about the entire MIL DIL relationship you have fostered.Congrats and tootleoo from Texas.
Posted by: Janice | 11/10/2014 at 05:11 PM