The blessings that they bring. Babies born onto our children. Little versions of our babies when they were babies.
Crying, eating, pooping, smiling, crawling, giggling, growing little by little until all of a sudden they are the best version of two people who fell in love in the first place. Take back the long, restless nights, and it really wasn’t that bad nor was it that long.
I couldn’t wait to hear what their voices were going to sound like after all the grunting and wailing they did for things they wanted. Soon the words turned to sentences. Their personalities developed and their likes and dislikes start to show.
I think that they are an extension of ourselves once removed. Seeing them reminds me of the girls when they were little. Wondering if I was anything like they are. Seeing, touching, hearing.. unafraid. That’s what I miss. I see how they try anything without knowing what could happen. Taking those first steps, jumping off the couch, trying adult food for the first time, touching a soft cat or prickly pinecone.
We have eight of them and that is all we will have. The oldest will turn 21 the end of this month and the youngest is a year and a half. Wow, is that crazy or what!
I love watching them grow, seeing what they are doing, the challenges they face, the individuals they are becoming. School, health, dates, driving, jobs – it all takes time and that is what they have more of than anything else.
I just want them to know that we care, we want them to do their best, we will catch them if they fall, and we will let them take the responsibility if they make decisions that we disagree or agree with!
There are times when I think back to my grandparents and know that they approved and disapproved of many things. I loved it when they scolded me and I knew they really weren’t upset, just a little disapproving of my choices. We all turned out pretty well, anyway.
The hubby and I argue, sometimes, over the way they were raised. We aren’t their parents, they have their own. We watch and wait until our kids ask us for advice and, sometimes, we give it anyway.
I will always remember my Great Grandpa on my paternal side. He was the most fun. I was young when he was old and yes, I remember the day we laid him to rest. It was heart breaking.
He loved to play tricks until we cried or skip with us down a dusty old road. Memories are what I have. I hope that my grand kids have those too.
We have favorites, whether we like it or not, and try not to show it. I think that because we didn’t get to be involved with some of the older kids, when they were little, we missed some of the bonding. Who the heck knows how to be grandparents anyway????
Snuggles and hugs, kisses and high 5’s. Diapers and distress. Driving and dates. School and jobs. The older they get, the less we see them. They get busy just like us. Scheduling time is what we need to do. We can no longer just drop in and expect to see the older ones.
Cherish what you have, look forward to what is coming, and remember what was. These are great times – Grandpa and Grandma!