Days With Grandma Returns

January 14, 2017

Life Reset

It’s been a while since I’ve written. I had believed that my days with my grandson would last until he went off to school. I had four or five good years, I thought. Then I found out that he was about to become a big brother and my heart exploded. My contract was sure to be extended!

Instead, “Days With Grandma” stopped; moved away.

Days are now visits, some longer than others but, all of them, short. Happiness fills those visits but I’m constantly reminded that it’s a visit. It will end. So, I’ve struggled with writing about the joy that truly fills me each time. Visits are different. I’m a guest…a special guest for sure, but none the less a brief diversion from the new routine. And so I watch as he shows me his new skills; running, climbing, building. I see that he has embraced other little people as well; thrilled to have others his size to run and climb and build with too. He talks and sings now. Words spill freely from his consciousness. How did he learn all of that? Laughter erupts often as he shares his unique view of the world. One day, he described his throat as a drain which was super cute and logical so why did it surprise me when he also said that he had a “poop drain”? Logical, lovable, growing up connections.

He’s now a big brother. He has a little sister. I enjoy my minutes with her but I have to admit, I don’t know her as well. I haven’t watched her every movement from the day she was born. Our relationship has been a Facetime connection. Every time I visit, she looks at me, initially, as a stranger. During the visit, I hold her, rock her, play with her, and love her. But, I don’t have stories to write about her. Her brother commands more attention. She, quietly, observes his antics and throws out big beautiful smiles when we remember that she’s there too. I am determined to visit often so she knows me, truly know me. But, I know it will always be different.

Days With Grandma Returns

Life goes on. Right? Time changes things. I adjust.

And then, I learn there’s a new baby on the way. This baby lives three blocks from me. I’m about to be a Grandma again! Can I help with childcare? Are you kidding me?