02-07-23 Grandparenting
My grandad was 57 when I was born, only 54 when his first Grand child was born, He and my Nana looked after me for the first two years of my life after my mother and sister drowned. I was 44 when my first grand child was born and he will be eligible to get his learners drivers license not long after my 60th. I was just thinking that I was blessed to have a crazy inspiring Nana and a patient kind Grandad who were always available any time I needed them, wanted to sleep over, or just hang out. They believed in me but also doted on me. I think this made my cousins jealous. On the other side of the family, my Grandma also loved me and when she gave up her license, she gave me her car as I was a single mom with Jake. This caused ripples in my relationship with the cousins on that side. I get it, I know that most people, including myself for a decade, didn’t know about the trauma that occurred when I was only 3 months old. I feel that my Grandparents, on both sides, were trying to make up for the loss of my primary bond. I can only imagine how hard that was while suffering their own terrible loss.
I look at my own style of grand-parenting and know it is not the same. I love my grand kids very much but I don’t say yes very often when they ask to stay over. I know I should as the time is fleeting but I also know they have a close, more typical relationship with their Père and Granny. And honestly, I do better with them one on one.
Today I received a call from Rae-Anne that Will’s good friend had broken his arm while ice skating and Will was pretty upset. They would be back at the school soon. I stopped the payroll I was working on and went to find him in his classroom. He was doing okay but I could tell he was glad to see me and we had a very good long hug. The substitute teacher mouthed to me that Will is a gentle soul. When he was done, he went back to his desk and I headed back to the office with tears in my eyes. I took all his stress and all his love into me and I was just grateful to have the time to go.
Back at the office I was kept busy on a phone call with a client, fixing their file and was starting to get a sore tailbone from sitting so much when I finally remembered to use my stand up desk. I was so much happier and look forward to continuing tomorrow. Did I mention that I bought myself a pretty serious birthday present? I am now the 39th member of the Encore Brewing Founders Club. Details to follow 🙂
triumphgal 