Yiayia's Journey Part 23

In 1974, my grandmother Yiayia- the resoundingly resourceful and always able Penelope Conomos - found herself entrusted with an enormous task. The former Greek village girl turned Americanized grandmother would take charge of the care and feeding of (my siblings) a 4 year old Penny and a 2 year old Johnny. Her son Tasso needed to take a business trip to Paris, France. And his wife Janice was to accompany him in what would become a life changing trip.

And so as they boarded that plane, Yiayia herded the children. Strapped them inside her 1966 Dodge Dart and whisked them home for two weeks under her ethnic loving care. Upon Tasso and Janice's return, the no nonsense Yiayia would say in her trademark Greek accent, "You should have stayed in Paris two more days. I would have had Johnny potty trained!" And while his appreciative parents might have shared a laugh at that remark, little Johnny was far from amused.

For he would not soon forgive his absentee parents for leaving him in the care of that strict taskmaster. The woman with the strange accent who grew her own vegetables and out maneuvered his every tantrum ~ took absolutely no prisoners. And to make matters even worse, poor Johnny would soon learn dreaded news. Mommy and Daddy brought home an unexpected souvenir from France--and 'it' was set to arrive nine months later.

And so on March 9th, the ever resourceful Yiayia took care of little Penny and Johnny once again. This time their parents would take another shorter--but no less monumental trip--to the nearby Stanford Hospital. In a small delivery room on the second floor, Janice was set to give birth. And a few hours later, a baby girl with a full head of hair barreled into the world. Her name ~ Alexa.

The next day, Yiayia would journey to that hospital to meet her youngest grandchild. Upon holding that tiny bundle, she warily inspected every newborn inch. For she never forgot the pain of losing her own baby girl 39 years ago. But determining that God's new creation seemed hearty and whole, she emitted her trademark laugh and reveled in this reaffirmation of life. Little did she know she'd met her match: a mini-me to meet her laugh for laugh and wit for wit ~ but whose returning love would exceed even her greatest expectations.

And so, after decades of hardship in her homeland of Greece and her new home in America, my Yiayia would enjoy a season of love and prosperity that would last for years. But another tragedy would once again cast a shadow upon her door. And the always evolving, ever enduring Penelope Conomos and her family would never be the same.