2001-02-03 - 23:08 MST

February 3, 2001

Stringing Out

Stringing out is a standard operating procedure in our families. The first person I ever heard say it is my beloved Mother in law. But it is part of our dictionary - tradition you know. It is also quite descriptive.

Needed are, one baby (poor little helpless one) a group of relatives four to one hundred, with baby's mother an innocent bystander. And the joy of baby love.

It innocently starts by one loving relative receiving the baby in her/his arms, cuddling, cooing and rocking baby a bit. Baby is then passed on to the next relative for a repeat with variations. The child is passed from arms to arms, laps to laps, shoulders to shoulders.

Each relative has a secret baby language that only that person and the baby understand and it is used to the fullest possible extent. Likewise the shoulder, lap, arms bit, each member has the motions unique to them. All of us have have kids and each of us have developed our own way of trying to make and keep the little one happy.

The baby is passed around from one relative to the next, until the relatives tire and then it is gently passed to the Momma.

Joy in the group prevails, every grimace applauded and maybe happily laughed at. Glances from adult to adult acknowledging the sweet wonder of babyhood and the love that is passing around.

The doting relatives give their interpretation on the meaning the different gestures the baby makes. The aim I think is to try to put on the front that, "That kid might be small, but that one is about ready for first grade.

Today this wonderful ritual took place at a "Noodles" restaurant. There were three tables pushed together with family seated around it passing baby back and forth.

Heather and I as the proud great grandma and grandpa, of course took our turns cuddling the latest great grand child in the family. Eating between holding the baby, talking across the table with each other. Both Heather and babys grandma (our son's wife) and the baby's Mama brought bunches of photographs to pass around. I think that each photograph ended up in its proper envelope, only the proud owners will know - - - eventually.

Aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, grandmother and father, great grand mother and father fullfilled their obligatory duties in a properly euphorious manner.

An extended family needs to have a baby, and a group of worshiping relatives who can manage to keep a baby happy while engaging in the time honored Stringing Out . . . . . . .

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