Louisa Jaggar

Friday, July 11, 2008

Summer Fun

My grandson, Dylan, and I spent serious time searching for Pelicans in the hopes that we might be able to catch one. That is the beauty of a two year old. He sees life as filled with possibilities. I hope i always remember that attitude. What fun trying to catch a pelican even if I knew the possibility was slim.

6:29 pm est

2008.07.01

Dylan and I

In February of 2002, a couple feet of snow landed in DC and then the temperature rose. The snow melted, the skies opened, the rain began, and the water level soared. I heard a rushing sound coming from the basement and went to investigate. I looked downstairs and the basement door had been forced open by surging waters. The fire department came and, instead of halting the flood and draining the water, they turned off the electricity (electrocution being a real possibility). So, now I had over 2 feet of freezing cold water in the basement, no heat in the house, and no light. Armed with flashlights, my daughter and I tried to save what we could, but most of the stuff just disintegrated in our hands.

I lost the stuff I love most: my daughter’s artwork, my son’s writings, my old stuffed animals and most of the family keepsakes. Everything I lost had a story that went with it. To have all those memories lost was crushing. I responded the only way I know how, by trying to figure out how to help people prevent this from happening to them.

And that is how the book Saving Stuff (Simon and Schuster 2005) came about.

I have gone on to write articles for the Washington Post and am currently working on a new book proposal.

Last year I also became a first time grandmother. I was there for most of his birth (thank you to my darling daughter-in-law) and the first time I held him, I knew him. It was as if I was meeting someone that I had met a long time ago. I recognized him. Dylan, my grandson, has bought great joy to my life and allowed the little kid in me to once again come out and play. I love that.

I have now turned my attention to stories that bring families closer together--the real stories that tell us who we are. As a granny, I am excited to help others with this fun, exciting process. I have started a series of articles that I call the Granny Files. These articles are for grannies (though everyone can use the activities) so that they can best enhance their lives while building memories and bonds that will live long after.