GrandParents Day- Guest Post

Today my mom is my guest poster...however she doesn't know she is my guest poster =) I would link up her blog BUT Ireallydon'tthinksheblogsanymore!

She wrote this and emailed it to me yesterday...it brought tears to my eyes for many reasons, for the love she feels for her grandchildren, the fact my daddy isn't here anymore to share in the love of a grandchild...many reasons...

_________________________

Twenty years ago, I found I had fallen in love again. I was captivated by his deep blue eyes, his spontaneous smile and contagious laughter; I was totally under his beguiling spell. My heart was completely taken by him as I acted uncharacteristically foolish with every bit of news about him.

As Grandparents Day on Sunday approaches, my heart is still completely taken by him, and I'm still in love! The first elated joys of grandparenthood have turned into a deep, abiding love and memories of years that have delighted and still delight us.

Now I have eight grandchildren, each one wonderful, uniquely special and very much loved. This year is a landmark year for us because our first grandchild, Casey left for his freshman year at college, his very close younger brother, Trey joined the military and our youngest two grandchildren,Hayden and Colin have moved far away from us to Nebraska. A new stage in life for them. And for us.

We think, as grandparents are prone to do: Has our love, our influence, made a difference in the lives of our grandchildren? Have we imparted any wisdom to them, maybe some shining gem that will help them as they make those important young decisions? And our bright-dispositioned third-grader, Colin: Will he be stronger as he faces the more rigorous demands of childhood because of our presence in his life? Oh, please, let the answer be, "Yes!"

How can we relate to our grandchildren who are separated from us by two generations? Want to talk to them - call or text? Text and you're more likely to get an answer quickly, and yes, you can learn how to text and you'll be glad you did-I did!

We want to connect, but how when the world has drastically changed from the one we knew at their age? Music? (I loved "Elvis.") Fashion? (Well, we had our moments, too; leisure suits and beehive hairdos come to mind.) This is a question worth asking and thinking about.

Although many things change, some are timeless. Our grandchildren, like us, have hopes and dreams for their lives. A friend once told me that she asked her son why he liked being with his grandfather. He said, "He makes me feel special."

"How?" she asked. "He doesn't talk about my brothers when we're together, but about me." Our opportunities to be with them may be limited, so carpe diem - seize the day.

There are, at least in my mind, pearls of wisdom I want to pass on, especially as they leave the comforts and security of home to chart their course in life. Time passes quickly. Abby and Shelby the young teenagers looking at me now from the driver's seat of the car can change in the blink of an eye from the child riding a scooter or laughing as we are making something in the kitchen. In my mind Reese becomes an active little baby in a moment unless I remember he's almost 16. Oh, I just woke up, realized that Jessica and Hayden, have leaped into adolescence overnight.

So I seize the day, trying not to sound like I'm giving a sermon, and drop a few of those pearls on them. Truths we've found important to live by, like understanding you don't have to blow out another person's light to make yours shine; consequences follow actions, so choose well; appreciate the freedoms we enjoy and the sacrifices of those who made those freedoms possible; trust in the faithfulness of God, no matter the circumstances. I could go on but will try not to go on and on.

Without a doubt, our grandchildren have made a profound difference in our lives. They brought something into our lives we never knew we needed. Have we made a difference in theirs? Will they remember those pearls? Yes!

Grandparents can provide a strong arm around their grandchildren, whether now or remembered, which gives them the legacy of inner resources to face challenges, to remember who they are, fragrant memories of supportive family times, and the knowledge deep within their souls that, as a song from our generation and theirs - paraphrased - proclaims, "Oh I know, yes I know, Hallelujah, they just love me so."


My confession for today: That was Beautiful Mom...just Beautiful!