Ten little fingers and ten little toes. The tiniest little bundle that fills your heart to overflowing with love. Nothing could be more perfect. But this is not your own child, this is your grandchild! Your reward for living through your own child’s broken bones and scraped knees. The teen years of broken hearts and driver’s education. Even finding your heads covered in gray and wrinkles carved into your once smooth skin. It is all a small price to pay for the joyous feeling of being a grandparent.
It gets even better as these children grow older. Every little thing your grandchild does proves they are the brightest, smartest little being on earth. The first goal they score… you know they will be the next Pele’ or Hamm. First star on a preschool paper, they are sure to be the next child prodigy. No child ever born will be smarter or accomplish as much as your grandchild, not even the children you bore. They are your special miracles!
The frequent visits of a child living near you are filled with the talks of familiar places to both of you. T-ball games and picnics. Baby dolls and pretend tea parties. Prom pictures, school concerts, hockey games, and shopping trips. Tears and laughter. Visits to museums and lakes. How wonderful to be nearby to be a part of the every day milestones in this awesome child’s life.
Unfortunately, not every grandchild can live near you. But the visits together are wonderful. As they get older they begin to remember you a little more from the last visit. Each visit the hugs return a little quicker. Then that moment you’ve waited for, when that sweet child looks up at you with full recognition, and says, “I love you grandma.” Your heart rocks against its walls. You would move mountains for this child. But soon again it is time for good-byes. Just days before you renewed your love for each other. Now you must count the days until you will be together once again, and you make plans for that day.
Whether far or near, our grandchildren hold a special place in our hearts. Some of us may claim the darling child next door, or maybe a child with no one to share important times to be their “grandchild”. But one thing is for sure, in every way, our grandchildren are the unbelievable gifts of our older years…and what wonderful gifts they are!
Originally published in Bottom Line News & Views, March 2017