A friend of mine recently became a Grandmother for the first time. It's
been pretty special to see the transformation. She's never been much
of a "baby" person if you know what I mean, and now she is. Her
tender side is showing in such a beautiful way and I am happy to say I
know just how she feels. There is something so very special about
being a Grandmother. I don't think anyone on earth can prepare you for
that . . . and as much as you do love your own children and always will,
Grandmother love is on a completely different scale altogether. There
are no words to describe it and it's not something which you could make
someone else understand with mere words anyways . . . it's just
something which you have to experience for yourself I guess.
I found this essay on what a Grandmother is in a book entitled "Especially for Mormons," volume two. This is an anthology of thoughts, poetry and prose which is suited to the Mormon reader, but you don't have to be a latter day saint to enjoy it. There is no attribution for the essay, but it did come from a child . . .
"A Grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own, so she likes
other peoples little girls. A Grandfather is a man Grandmother. He
goes for walks with the boys and they talk about fishing and tractors
and things like that.
Grandma's don't have to do anything except be here. They're old, so they shouldn't play hard or run. It is enough if they drive us to the market where the pretend-horse is and have plenty of dimes ready. Or if they take us for walks, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves or caterpillars. They should never, ever say . . . 'Hurry up.'
Usually, they are fat, but not too fat to tie kid's shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums off.
It is better if they don't typewrite or play cards except with us. They don't have to be smart, only answer questions like why dogs hate cats and how come God isn't married. They don't talk baby-talk like visitors do because it is so hard to understand. When they read to us, they don't skip or mind if it is the same story again.
Everybody should try to have one Grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because Grandmas are the only grown-ups who have got time."
Grandma's don't have to do anything except be here. They're old, so they shouldn't play hard or run. It is enough if they drive us to the market where the pretend-horse is and have plenty of dimes ready. Or if they take us for walks, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves or caterpillars. They should never, ever say . . . 'Hurry up.'
Usually, they are fat, but not too fat to tie kid's shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums off.
It is better if they don't typewrite or play cards except with us. They don't have to be smart, only answer questions like why dogs hate cats and how come God isn't married. They don't talk baby-talk like visitors do because it is so hard to understand. When they read to us, they don't skip or mind if it is the same story again.
Everybody should try to have one Grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because Grandmas are the only grown-ups who have got time."
I have seven Grandchildren now. Six Grandsons and one Granddaughter and they are all very special to me. My youngest son and wife have not had children yet, and to be honest I don't think I will know when they do. I don't figure in to their lives. It is what it is, and I have come to terms with it. That doesn't stop me from enjoying the others however. I love all my grandchildren so very much and am proud of each and every one of them. I think they are all pretty amazing! It is my deepest desire to hopefully one day live a lot closer to them, hopefully before they get too old.
I think that one of the best parts of being a Grandmother is getting to watch your children raise their own children and do a good job of it. You know then that you can't have done half as bad a job as you thought you did.
It's like the love has come full circle . . . you did all those years of
hard work and finally you are being rewarded in a very beautiful and
wonderful way . . .
These little bundles of energy are like the joyful jewels in your crown . . . each with their own individual sparkle and shine . . . they come along and that heart of yours that you thought just couldn't possibly hold anymore love than it does . . . well it just expands and holds even more than you ever thought possible, it's like it is full to bursting, and quite impossible to quell or describe.
When I was a child I thought all Grandmother's had to be old and have white hair and sit in rocking chairs, but when I look in the mirror, I don't see an old woman with white hair . . . and I don't sit in a rocking chair. I see an older woman, yes . . . but inside this older woman is the youthful heart of a girl . . . and Grandchildren are the perfect creatures to share that with and not look silly.
Once you have Grandchildren you have permission to be a child again . . . coz the parents are there and they'll take care of you both and make sure you don't hurt yourselves.
Our Doug facetimed me last night and we had a lovely conversation. The boys were there. I love seeing them. Doug was making a hamburger soup for them for their supper. It was fun to watch them all and talk with them. It was lovely to be included. Really, really . . . lovely!
A thought to carry with you . . .
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*Love is the greatest gift that
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
*Love is the greatest gift that
one generation can leave to another.
~Richard Garnett •。★★ 。* 。
Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Greek Chicken. You marinate it overnight in a flavourful marinade and then bake to succulence the next day. Very yummy!
Have a wonderful Wednesday! Don't forget!
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And I do too!
