Mimi’s Promise: A heart that watches over you

One of the most cherished memories I have is the moment our son and daughter-in-law shared the joyous news that we would soon be grandparents. They revealed it in such a creative way, gifting us a pair of baby shoes with a tag that read, “Please keep these safe for me, I’ll need them in July. Your first grandchild.” Jody, overwhelmed with emotion, read that tag and completely lost it, creating a beautiful moment that our son captured on video. It’s a memory I’ll treasure forever.

That moment took place in November of 2023, and by April 2024, we had lost Jody. But at least she had five precious months during the pregnancy, and those months were not wasted. We were blessed to be part of several ultrasound sessions, watching the baby grow from a tiny, delicate cashew shape into a recognizable little human. We listened to the rapid thump-thump-thump of the baby’s heartbeat, sharing the joy and excitement with our kids and family.

Jody was around to buy gifts for the baby shower, and after her passing, those gifts continued to arrive at the house, each one a bittersweet reminder of the love she had poured into this new chapter of our lives.

One of the most special things Jody did, with little input from me, was choose our grandparent names. She would be Mimi, and I was to be Papa. (Though I had originally hoped for Papi, my son vetoed it, saying it reminded him too much of Big Papi from the Red Sox.) We also knew the name of the baby—Hart, a family name on my daughter-in-law’s side.

When Jody passed, one of the deepest sorrows I felt was that she would never have the chance to be a Mimi, and Hart would never know the joy of being held by her. We were all robbed of the time we should have had together.

So, I decided to write a children’s book for Hart about his Mimi. A “Once upon a time” story about how Jody and I met, fell in love, and were blessed with our son. A story that would remind Hart, no matter where life took him, that Mimi would always be watching over him. “When you build sandcastles on the beach, she’s the gentle breeze that makes you smile.” The book title? “Mimi and Her Big, Beautiful Heart.” Yes, a bit of wordplay there.

Now, Hart is old enough to sit up and show interest in books. Every night, his Mom and Dad read him a bedtime story. So, on Christmas, I sat with Hart on my lap, holding the book, and read him his Mimi’s story. I made it through without tears, though it wasn’t easy. He loved touching the book, flipping through the pages, and gazing at the pictures of his Mimi—his guardian angel in heaven, watching over him.

It’s moments like these that remind me that love doesn’t end with loss. Jody’s spirit lives on in our hearts, in the stories we tell, and in the memories we pass on to Hart. We may have lost her, but her love, like her heart, remains forever big and beautiful.

Love you all