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The Biggest News

Ben and Noelle are both taking classes on line.  Ben is trying to finish up his Bachelors.  Noelle has started work on her Masters.  They are only in their early 20's and I guessed they would want to wait until they finish their degrees before they try to start a family.  I also wonder sometimes if they are going to decide Hawai'i is too expensive for them and realize they could afford a bigger house on the mainland.  If they pack up and leave, a BIG part of the reason why we moved back here will be gone.

Well..........

Ben Facetimed us today.  I knew something was up the minute my phone rang.  Ben never Facetimes us.  Of the dozen thoughts that ran through my head before I answered the first was "They are having a a baby."  The second was, "They are moving off the island."  Of course, there is a pandemic taking over the world and we are all having to social distance from one another.  He might actually just be tired of not seeing anyone but I didn't think that was as likely.

Ben asked if everyone was home and said he wanted to talk to all of us.  I yelled for Kerry and Katie to come to the living room because Ben and Noelle wanted to talk.  Kerry said he immediately had the same thoughts I did.  Ben doesn't Facetime; only big news would cause this.

We all sat down on the sofa, wedged tightly together, and looked at the phone.

Ben said, "We have an announcement.  We want to let you know that Noelle.... is.... pregnant."

I have no idea what happened next.  I remember laughter, excitement, Kerry wiping his eyes, me wiping my eyes, and that Katie had her hands clapped over her mouth for about five solid minutes. We probably gasped, squealed and made noises of some sort.  It took a few minutes for my brain to stop carbonating and for my mind to start grasping the info they were giving us.

Noelle had just been to the doctor and had gotten an ultrasound.  Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, Ben wasn't allowed to go back with her.  He didn't get to hear the heartbeat or see the ultrasound.  But they did get a picture!

This.  This is my first grandchild.






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