Some of My Favorite People Call Me Oma

I would like to introduce you to the newest Behnke, my little granddaughter, Zoe Marguerite. She is the great great granddaughter of Albert and Rose Behnke.  Zoe arrived last week on March 22 and, as with my grandson Aaron, we fell promptly and deeply in love. 

I am not sure just what happens when you become a grandparent but it is so amazing. We have been having such fun with our grandson for these last four years and to me he is just a little bundle of joy. It is hard to remember him being as tiny as his little sister. Yesterday, while having the whole family over to celebrate Easter, I was telling Zoe how this is her first time at Oma’s and Granddad’s house and my daughter reminded me how when Aaron was born (March 17, a St. Patrick’s Day boy) his first visit to Oma’s was on Easter also.

So you might be wondering, just what is it with the name Oma? As many of you already know, picking a name that your grandchildren will call you is one of the most important things. For me, when Aaron was born I went back and forth but finally my Aunt Ele told me to just go with Oma. I am not sure why it was so hard for me to wrap my mind around it, but it was the name my cousins and I and pretty much any kid that met my grandparents used to call them: Oma and Opa. Oma and Opa, are German for Grandmother and Grandfather.  So it began four years ago. I became Oma! My husband wanted to be Granddad and it works for him. Every time I hear Aaron call me Oma it makes my heart happy.  I think of when I too called my grandmother Oma and feel that she is right there with me with her arms opened wide as Aaron rushes to give me a hug, Oh wait! he went right by me and straight to his granddad…oh well; he is growing up but now I have our little Zoe to hug and cuddle. I am thinking tea parties and fairy gardens.

by Stephanie Fleming, Behnke’s Vice President