Is It Apple Martini Time?

“Mom, I am just calling to tell you that Molly fell,” my daughter Amy revealed. “We are on our way to the hospital as she will need stitches below her lip. I will call you later.”

“Amy can I come up and be there with you?”

“ No mom, I don't want to get all nervous,” Amy returned. “Having you come here might not keep me calm. I need to be calm for Molly.”

“OK, honey,” I agreed. “Call me when you can to let me know how Molly is.”

The next time I heard from Amy was by a text picture. Molly looked wiped and she was out cold on the hospital stretcher. Oy vey! My heart went deep into my chest. The text said, “my poor baby but she is done and will be ok.” It's not really a picture I want to save in my phone photos.

I remember when Amy's brother fell and had stitches. He was almost Molly's age and I was on auto pilot. My mom and I called the hospital, lined up a plastic surgeon and off we went. I was so happy to have my mother by my side as I saw my little boy be held down and stitched. I needed to be strong, and having her support was good for me. It was different then because my husband was not around.

One of the most wonderful parts of being a grandma for me is watching my daughter be mommy and seeing my son-in-law be daddy. They are amazing together! I felt confident they would be strong and hold each other up as little Molly got her first set of stitches. They were about to experience one of the hardest things a parent has to see, their child in pain. I can't lie; I really wanted to be there for them. I guess that is a good thing, that in today's crazy world I am still a grandma who wants be there for her daughter, her family. I am willing to drop whatever I am doing for them when they need their mommy. The moral of this blog is you never stop being mommy no matter how old you are. My mother is 82 years old and still introduces is me as her baby Bea.

Grandma's First Aid for Boo Boos (In case you happen to be babysitting)

Know where the first aid kit is in your children's house and make sure you have an updated one in yours.

Know where the emergency contact numbers are in your children's home and make yours known to all family members as well.

If there's an open wound, use gauze and apply pressure. Keep adding gauze over the first patch to allow blood to clot. If gauze is not available, use a terrycloth washcloth.

While you are holding your grandchild, call her mommy and daddy. If the wound continues to bleed despite pressure, decide if stitches are needed. If so, meet at the hospital and make sure a plastic surgeon is available. Remember to stay calm and have someone go with you to help with driving while you can tend to your grandchild. Remind parents about their insurance information and reassure them, urging them not to worry and to stay calm.

After everyone is home and settled in for the night, go have an apple martini with your husband and Bea thankful all is well.

Grandma's Apple Martini

• 1 part good vodka
• 1 part good sour apple schnapps
• 1 part apple juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Drink and chill.

What's your recipe for chilling?