Growing Joy Finding Safe Passage to Grandmotherhood

Upon learning that you will become a grandmother, it seems like a simple thing to rejoice at the news. But for some people sunny optimism is an indulgence. Some of us prefer not to "count our chickens before they hatch" (pun intended) or to revel in the excitement of good things to come, before they arrive. This is the story of how Yona, a daughter of Holocaust survivors, found a way to manage her anxiety and elation upon learning that her first grandchild was on the way. Even after her daughter's first trimester, Yona could still not speak of the baby as a real person. When her daughter found websites that compared fetal development to fruits or vegetables, Yona realized there might be a way to embrace her joy and find safe passage to grandmotherhood. In a series of whimsical, produce-focused emails – like using a butternut squash at 26 weeks – Yona updated the family on the baby's development. These posts kept family, scattered across the country, connected and able to share the exciting journey. This story will not only inspire expectant parents and grandparents to share their excitement, but also help each of us find the courage to embrace joy across all aspects of our lives.

Upon learning that you will become a grandmother, it seems like a simple thing to rejoice at the news. But for some people sunny optimism is an indulgence. Some of us prefer not to "count our chickens before they hatch" (pun intended) or to revel in the excitement of good things to come, before they arrive. This is the story of how Yona, a daughter of Holocaust survivors, found a way to manage her anxiety and elation upon learning that her first grandchild was on the way. Even after her daughter's first trimester, Yona could still not speak of the baby as a real person. When her daughter found websites that compared fetal development to fruits or vegetables, Yona realized there might be a way to embrace her joy and find safe passage to grandmotherhood. In a series of whimsical, produce-focused emails – like using a butternut squash at 26 weeks – Yona updated the family on the baby's development. These posts kept family, scattered across the country, connected and able to share the exciting journey. This story will not only inspire expectant parents and grandparents to share their excitement, but also help each of us find the courage to embrace joy across all aspects of our lives.

Following a career in advertising, in which she used words to describe the merits and virtues of products and brands, Yona Eichenbaum has moved her sights closer to home. These days she writes about the myriad gifts and pleasures -- and the occasional challenges -- of her own life. Her essays have appeared in a variety of publications. YonaEichenbaum.com