GRANDMOTHER

I became a grandmother during the month of March twenty-eight years ago. That is one of the aspects of my life I had no control over. Our son and the young woman who became our daughter-in-law married and settled in the village where he grew up. It was their decision to have two children.

I quickly discovered why my mother said it was a treat to babysit. Time with the growing kids allowed us to get acquainted as individuals. One of the things our grandchildren learned visiting our house was how to interact with Aunt Linda, who was developmentally different.

As a mother, it had been my habit to answer a lot of childish requests with, ‘no’. It was easy to later change to ‘yes’ if need be. If I said ‘yes’ in the beginning, I was stuck with it. I can still hear our young granddaughter imploring, “Grandma, don’t say ‘no’. Say ‘I’ll think about it’.” Of course, I complied.

Our grandson often challenged me to play War. I’d enjoyed the card game when I was growing up.

The kids thought it was a treat to ride with Grandma and Grandpa when we all went out to supper at an area restaurant to celebrate a family member’s birthday. They learned about Grandpa’s fallibility when he made a wrong turn on the way and glossed it over by saying, “We’re taking the scenic route.”

I’ve enjoyed attending their events from pre-school tea parties, athletic games and college graduations. It’s enlightening to have conversations with the young adults.

They’ve continued the family tradition of law enforcement–she is an assistant state’s attorney and he is a police officer. I felt special to be invited along as our granddaughter chose a wedding dress.

Do you have grandchildren?