One Among Many

It's a difficult thing, being the Grandma (who really needs constant attention) among so many other interesting family relations.  There are cousins, aunts, uncles and that other set of grands, Grandmere and Grandpere.  I hate to admit that I get jealous when Juliet squeals with delight at the entrance of her Grandmere.  I understand that she wants to spend the entire afternoon tailing her 12-year-old cousin, Lena.  There's nothing more fun than hanging around with an older girl cousin when you're four.  And Lena is so sweet to Juliet.

Now, having admitted that I am so childish as to be jealous of Juliet's attention to others, I must also say that Juliet loves to torture me this way; she pretends that she loves everyone better than me.  She obeys her Grandmere but says "no" to me.  She won't let me help her do anything.  She refuses my attention but goes to Marie and snuggles with her, as she glances at me coyly to see if I'm bothered.  I am.  The little monkey has my number!

The other phenomenon I experience is feeling like one of the children.  I am the only adult who doesn't speak perfect French; sometimes I understand the conversation but at other times I shut it out because it's just too exhausting to try to "translate" everything.  Like the children, I don't have much to add to the conversation.  Like the children, I listen politely and follow directions.  Like the children, I am silent much of the time.  It must be difficult for the family, too, since they want to include me in the conversation.  They do try, and translate for me at times.  I feel welcome and part of the family, even if I'm a small part.