I am watching my six month old granddaughter bounce and chirp happily in her jolly jumper swing. Later, I am holding her as she wiggles and squirms in my arms, reaching and waving her hands and kicking her feet. Oh! A baby smack as she waved her darling, sweet hand next to my cheek!
She doesn’t know I am her grandmother. Yet, if I say so myself, I am a pivotal part of her journey to being here.
Ah, her two parents. Her four grandparents. Her eight great-grandparents. Her sixteen great-great-grandparents. Sheesh!
I had no idea about my maternal great-great-grandparents until I was in Langres, France in 2023. Their names were Alexander Dessein and Marie Ballant. My great-grandfather Charles Dessein’s parents. Charles and Adele Dessein were my mother’s grandparents. There is a large, marble, almost two hundred year old crypt outside Langres where Alexander and Marie are entombed. Wowza.
Got all that straight!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Dessein family crypt (c)MDessein
(maybe mausoleum is a more accurate word)
.
Our journey here, where we are, who we are. Who were our ancestors who were pivotal steps to us being here.
I will keep much of this in mind as I hold my grandchildren, play with them, and look into their bright eyes as they look back at me~~
Robin Dachenhausen
July 28, 2025 at 9:50 amAs someone who is not allowed to be a grandparent, I am envious the distance between myself, and my grandsons is huge as the years passed. These two boys barely remember who I was since I was kept away from them since they were very, very young, but in my heart, I am always their grandmother and in my heart they will always have a special place. That’s what makes us grandparents. The people that we are That unacquainted love that we hold for these children. It keeps them and ourselves moving forward.
Mary
July 28, 2025 at 11:15 amThank you for your thoughtfulness, Robin, and taking the time to share it. Best to you~~
Merle
July 28, 2025 at 2:20 pmSweet cousin, I was literally thinking about you this past weekend. I love your post and felt it was no coincidence! I love you! ❤️
Mary
July 28, 2025 at 3:56 pmMerle! How lovely to hear from you. Thanks for reading and staying in touch. More soon. A big hug to you~~
LEWalker
August 6, 2025 at 9:39 amThank you
Mary
August 14, 2025 at 11:07 amMy pleasure, Lydia. Thank you for reading~