Page 108 - Philly Girl

92 Janice Shapiro

have already seen this trait in you when you play. You seem
to be on a mission. I was always on a mission, too! My mis-
sion was to get educated and have only sweet, pure love in my
life, which I did. I hope you will always have loving experi-
ences as well. Of course, I think that Jesse and Maggie are
the perfect parents. I know your parents love you very much.
You like to bounce, jump, run around with a fantasy
cape, shouting, “Make way for ducklings.” Remember, my
sweet Mila, you are a San Francisco native and that has
meaning, even though you live in Boston now. Grandpa and
I loved the six months we had “Mila Mondays,” walking
around Golden Gate Park with you in the stroller. It was our
favorite day of the week.
I love that you are getting to know some of your cous-
ins. I loved most of my cousins and am still close to a few
of them. You have Genevieve and Graham, Jill and Jason’s
children, who live nearby. And you have Henry and Eliza,
Julia and Dave’s kids; and Laura’s new baby, born in August
2018. So you are in good shape in the cousins department.
Family is important.
I was a “silly girl” and for a long time I thought that
was a stupid trait to have. Your dad Jesse is “silly” too! It is
not a stupid trait. Silly is good! If you feel silly, go big! Same
with love, work, travel, ideas, making things, thinking up
things, drawing things, planting things, confiding in friends
in an intimate way. Do it up! This is your life, my darling
Mila. When you meet your sister (I say this as a “little sister”
myself), take care to bring her along—but also see who she
is too.
I love you more than you can ever know. Love, Nana Jan.