Being Grandma

This month has been full of watching grandkids while parents take time for each other. What a joy it is to have them with me. With the exception of Conner and Marley, there is so much drama and princess moments. The girls love to play with the dish set, fixing all kinds of foods, made fancy with "beautiful" necklaces as spaghetti, or noodles, toy beads as popsicles, blocks as sandwiches, or whatever else the imagination of 2 and 3 year olds can create. We play with puzzles, color, and watch all the Disney movies on my shelves. All while serving up "goodies" from their kitchen. On a sunny day, which in January, has been few, they love to swing. The joy of just being with them gladdens my heart and feels my life with love. "Grandma, watch a movie with me." Grandma, lets play a game, you be the sister, and I'll be the mom". Grandma, lets dance." "Grandma, I want to play with the "boy" toys." (referring to the car track set) "Grandma, let's cook." "Grandma, can we snuggle?" "Grandma, will you read me a story?" "Grandma, will you paint my fingernails?"

Londen didn't want me to change her last Saturday. She said, "I want to wait for my mommy and daddy." It was a necessary task to be done, and she relented. A few hours later, she looked up at me and said, with her head tilted and eyes twinkling, "Grandma, will you change me?" Two weeks ago, Kaily didn't want to leave my side when I was sick with the stomach flu. She said, "But Grandma, I want to take care of you, I will hold your hand." When Marti and Emy had a sleep-over, I woke to the soft touch of little hands on my face, "Good morning Grandma." Those are the special times that tug at your heart. I never mind changing a diaper if it means a little bit of bonding between my grandchildren and me. Time to rub tummys, tickle toes, and lots of hugs. Nothing is sweeter than when they look up at me and say, "I love you Grandma" or "Grandma, you're my best friend". My whole world pauses for that moment. I love my grandkids, they are treasured gifts from my Heavenly Father. I cherish them. I really miss my "Eastern" grandkids; all my "Star Wars jedi's", and my princesses. I'm grateful for the "mom's" who post the blogs so I can see what "my kids" are up to. Thanks Steph and Michelle, I appreciate how great your blogs are.

Jack Canfield, in his book,"Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul" describes my feelings so well; "When our children left the nest, we breathed a sigh of relief for a child-rearing job well done. Thankfully that reprieve was short-lived, for just when we thought we could never love another as deeply as our own, our child places their child into our arms...and the lay-down-my-life-for-you love starts all over again. Nothing in this world can prepare us for this moment, and nothing can compare as this child of our child steals our breath and our hearts." My heart has been stolen by those, sometimes mischievous, princes and princesses I call my "GRANDCHILDREN". I love you with all my heart. Thank you to my children who have given me these treasures. I love you too.