“Where’s Gigi?”
The Dose of Rocket Fuel I Wasn’t Expecting
Written on August 25, 2026
Viewing the clouds from the topside at 35,000 ft in the air, I contemplated the moment. I was headed away from my Texas home where my husband and 2 furry four-legged children were already missing me… and headed towards the East Coast where my children and grandchildren excitedly awaited my arrival.
And me… I was a few miles up, hovering above the clouds. Untouchable, unreachable, yet fully loved, missed, and anticipated by people ahead of me and behind me. That moment struck me as genuine privilege. To have those I just left who truly love me and are anxiously awaiting my return. And to have those I’m headed towards who love me and are anxiously awaiting my arrival. And in the midst of it, I get to hang out on top of the clouds for a while. Privilege.
The purpose of the trip was to meet my newest grandbaby and have a general visit with my kids and grandkids. While they had individually traveled to see me at different times over the last couple of years, I had not been in that direction for about 3 years.
On previous visits I always stayed in hotels and provided my own transportation around town. This time was different. This time I was staying in their homes and allowing them to cart me around. Not only was this new for me - allowing myself to receive from my children, it also allowed me to immerse myself deeper into their daily lives. Sleeping in their homes, having early mornings and late nights with them, showering in their bathrooms, riding around in their cars… all of these very simple things created a much more intimate experience than a hotel and a rental car.
There was another aspect that was very new. The two older grandchildren are now 5 and 3. Old enough to talk to me, to understand who I am, to receive me… and to love me. And that was a game-changer.
When I became a grandmother five years ago, I was only 46-years old and I wasn’t touching the title of “grandma” with a 10ft pole. So I named myself Gigi. I knew it was a term used by some grandmas out there and it was particularly appropriate for me because it’s part of my own name - Angie.
But until this trip, it was only how I referred to myself. I hadn’t yet experienced life with two little girls who knew me, received me, loved me, and referred to me as their Gigi.
Perhaps you’re reading this and you already know the exact experience I’m referring to. Perhaps you can only imagine it as part of your future. Or perhaps you know that this is not actually part of what this life has for you. Wherever you are in there, I can tell you that this is one of the most powerful, life-changing, direction-altering experiences I’ve had in this life. It has expanded my heart and my vision for my future in ways that were truly unexpected.
As a side-note, I will say it is incredibly fitting that this experience took place during the eclipse window, leading up to the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces, which happens to be my 4th house of home and family where my natal Jupiter sits. I’m not going to make this an astrology lesson, but it’s right on track… textbook on track.
My five-day stay came to an end and it was time for me to return to the other piece of home and family waiting for me in Texas. The heart-strings pulling in both directions… kinda brutal, but again, highly privileged.
As I was back above the clouds headed the opposite direction, I had some time to think over how unexpectedly delightful the whole trip was. I felt so at home in the homes of my children. It was easy for me to receive the hospitality they so generously offered. I felt fully loved by them and full of love for them. And then those babies… who also fully embraced me, accepted me, loved me as their Gigi… that was a whole new level unlocked for me.
The story doesn’t end there. It was actually the next piece that felt like rocket fuel to my heart and soul. Their other grandma lives locally and they spend a tremendous amount of time with her. She is their main caregiver while my daughter goes to work. She is “Abue” to them.
While I was there visiting, they stayed at home and did not make any visits to Abue’s house. When I left, they went and spent the night with Abue, which is a normal thing for them. But when they returned home… the first thing they said… “Is Gigi here? Where’s Gigi?”
Of course I didn’t actually hear it. I’m getting the information from my daughter via text. But that didn’t matter.
Heart. Busted. Wide. Open.
Rocket fuel on the soul.
And what does one do with this?
Of course there’s the temptation of the heart that says, “MOVE THERE NOW.” But life has taught me to be a bit more discerning than that.
For now, I’m doing the same thing I’ve been doing. Focusing on building strong foundations in my body and my bank account (aka business) that will serve me for decades to come.
I just have a whole new level of why I’m doing this.
I want to be physically strong and healthy so I can actively be their Gigi for decades to come. I want to have financial agency and freedom so I can get on a plane any time I feel like to see them. Perhaps one day I’ll even have a homestead that allows us all to live comfortably in our own spaces on the same big piece of property. (I’m not underestimating the power of Jupiter, my ruling planet, in my 4th house.)
For now I’m being very intentional about being Gigi. I even got on SnapChat just so we could send each other silly pictures back and forth. And I would not do that for ANYONE other than those precious babies. I’ll be traveling their way much more often than I have in the past. And I’ll continue to build a life that allows me to be and do more Gigi things in time.
This eclipse season brought me an unexpected dose of rocket fuel… in the shape of three tiny humans who call me Gigi.
And suddenly, the life I'm building has a whole new level of why.
Angela Dawn (aka Gigi)
Helping you come home to yourself
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