Signs, signs, everywhere signs
My little GeminiRaise your hand if you're worried about the astrological sign under which your grandchild was born. Okay, since not everyone who visits Grandma's Briefs is a grandparent, what about those of you with children ... does your child's astrological sign make any difference to you?
By the lack of hands I see waving in the air, I'll have to assume I'm weird. I'm weird because when Megan was pregnant, I did worry about the sign under which Bubby would be born.
Well, I suppose worry isn't the correct word. I wouldn't put it in the category of my worries about his and Megan's health and welfare during and after the pregnancy. It's more like I was concerned ... and a little bummed ... and a little hopeful that Bubby would arrive a few days late just to bump him into the next sign.
Because, you see, Bubby's a Gemini and -- I apologize if this offends anyone -- I've never gotten along well with Geminis. I'm a Cancer, the sign right next door to Gemini, the one I was hoping Bubby would hold out for.
Long, long ago, for my 16th birthday to be exact, my mom bought me Linda Goodman's "Sun Signs." Like most teen girls, I was quite interested in astrological signs and how well my friends, enemies and potential beaus matched up with the traits ascribed to their signs. Most of the time, Ms. Goodman was correct -- and seemingly continues to be correct -- in her assertions. Jim (Pisces), Brianna (Leo), Megan (Sagittarius) and Andrea (Cancer) fit the descriptions to a T.
And I, a Cancer, completely and totally fit the description: I'm quiet, moody, retreat to my shell when I sense danger, artistic (in writing, nothing else really), fiercely dedicated to hearth and home.
Then there's the Geminis, of which I've met plenty: talkative, active, impulsive, fleeting, and -- the one trait I've seen quite often in the Geminis I know -- someone who lies about anything and everything embellishes their tales, usually for no clear reason at all.
Suffice it to say, I didn't want Bubby to be a Gemini. But he is. So I recently reviewed -- in the very same copy my mom gifted me decades ago -- the traits under Ms. Goodman's title "The Gemini Child" and found a few interesting tidbits. Right off the bat was a mention that parents should seriously consider using one of those animal-like harnesses for their Gemini child because he'll be all over the place in public and difficult to keep safe. Funny thing is that when Megan was planning the recent trip she and Bubby made to visit us in the mountains, she actually mentioned considering getting one, just to be safe. She ended up not getting one, mostly because Bubby's quite timid and stays right by her side no matter where they go. (Bonus point for Bubby as that's a Cancer trait.)
Another trait Ms. Goodman mentions is that Geminis often are ambidextrous. This is interesting because Bubby favors using his left hand for nearly everything, always has. But there's no one else in his immediate family that's left-handed. The closest leftie is Nick, my nephew and Megan's cousin (is that Bubby's second cousin?). Get this: Nick is a Gemini! Like Nick, Bubby uses his right hand occasionally, but chooses the left nine times out of 10.
Another trait of the Gemini child is "there's usually a marked ability to mimic others." This I find amusing because for a while there I worried that Bubby would never speak normal words -- only because he was mimicking the gibberish in which his mom and dad spoke to him. For some unknown reason, Megan and Preston related to their little one by making him grin and giggle in response to their wacky sounds (which usually sounded much like the "ca-CAAH" goofiness from the goofy guy in the movie "Evolution"). Bubby loved those silly sounds ... and mimicked them to no end.
What I found most interesting about the Gemini traits Goodman lists, though, is that other than the two above, Bubby fits very few of them. But when I flip forward a few pages and read about "The Cancer Child," he hits quite a few right on the head: "His emotions are rich, colorful and varied." "They're funny little creatures with droll expressions and eyes that almost talk by themselves." "You may wish you could predict when he's going to get ... that faraway look in his eye as he listens to the curious music every Moon child hears." "He can get mighty weepy when he's ignored or treated harshly."
If you ask me, I think the doctor may have been a little off in the due date he gave Megan because it seems more and more that Bubby was destined to be a Cancer, not a Gemini. Which is great! Maybe he can overcome any of the negative Gemini traits he may have inherited due to an early arrival. (Again, my apologies to any Gemini readers -- it's nothing personal!)
Although, as all mothers and grandmothers know, no matter what he is, no matter what traits he possesses, I will truly love him with all my heart, all my soul, always and forever.
But let me just say right now that if Bubby ever grows up to be a big ol' liar/embellisher, this Cancer Grandma will surely be having some mighty serious words with that Gemini child!
Today's question:
What sign are you and do you fit the description?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Reader Comments (12)
I'm a Capricorn, and from the descriptions I've read, I don't fit many of the traits. Ambitious? No. Stable (non-impulsive) and a planner? No. Not really. Maybe you have a different description that better describes me, but I don't think I'm a goat. Maybe I just don't like to be labeled. ;)
I am a Sagittarius and I do fit some of the traits. Your post has gotten me interested in my granddaughter's sign...Libra.
I'm a Virgo, and I have some of the characteristics. Mostly I have the tendency toward meticulousness without the discipline to actually carry it out! But I'm a very early Virgo, so I think I have lots of Leo, too. I remember Linda Goodman's Love Signs! I don't think I ever owned a copy, but some of my friends did.
That was hilarious! I'm a Cancer, too! That's another thing we have in common. By the way, those pictures of him are so good...he is just a beautiful child. (I guess you know that already.) I find out tomorrow what one of my new grandbabies is going to be. Can't wait!
I'm a Virgo. I am meticulous about somethings. I feel that I'm very reliable and dependable. I'm practical to a fault some of my friends and family would say. But I'm not shy!
I have no idea what my kids' signs are, but now I'm curious. I'm a Leo, and I fit pretty much none of the character traits. I'm supposed to be the life of the party, but that's only true if you define "life of the party" as someone who sits quietly in the corner, too shy to talk to anyone.
Hmm. Just read up on Virgo, which would have been my sign if I'd made it to my due date, and it fits me exactly. Weird.
A Virgo supposedly likes writing, reading, and pets and those are traits I admittedly have. Maybe the "Perfectionist" thing but I'm not energetic enough to carry it out. Probably just old age.
I'm as Gemini as a Gemini can be ... but, um, not the kind of Gemini you just described.
Gina: That's funny. I never would have pegged you as a Gemini. But, the real question is: Are you ambidextrous? :o)
I'm a Sag, to a t! My kids pretty well fit their signs too.
I'm a Gemini. I am right and handed and don't lie or stretch the truth. lol A sister who was born after me though fits the Gemini you told about. She was born 1 year and two weeks after I was and is a Gemini too. Can't believe a word that comes out of that woman's mouth. Not meaning to air dirty laundry, but the truth is the truth. Maybe that is why she don't get along with anyone. What do you think?