Some Thoughts On Being A Grandparent…

   Being a grandparent can be a constant reminder of how old one has become. But setting that aside for a moment, it can also serve as a reminder of how much fun life can be watching the children of your children grow up. Grandpa and grandma get to see, while watching their own children raise their own families, many of the joys and challenges that may have been missed, forgotten, or just overlooked. Being a grandparent is an entirely unique experience and I am glad that I am having the opportunity to watch and in many cases learn how growing up in many ways has changed from sixty-five plus years ago.

   But on a personal note, it is heartwarming and exciting to see the grandchildren transition from childhood to adulthood, preparing to take their place in life, whether it be attending college and preparing for a career, taking some time off to explore the constantly changing world or just simply give grandma and grandpa a call or stopping by to see how things are going.

   If they were to ask my advice, which I might or might not do, there are a few lessons and memories that I would pass on, because these are items that have not really changed over time and are still part of growing up.

   Each day is a new beginning and success is based, in large part, on the lessons and experiences learned from the day before and while some of those experiences may have been successful, there may be some that one might consider failures. But remember that failures, although they may hurt and disappoint at times, are nothing more than lessons to be learned.

   One of the more challenging parts of growing up and growing older is to have a better understanding of how and why you feel the way you do. One day you could be incredibly happy and the next day you may spend most of the day in tears and not understanding why you are crying. There may be days when anger fills the heart and mind but then within a few minutes the anger is replace with a love and compassion you may have never experienced before.

   And while you struggle to gain an understanding of what has happened, keep in mind that life is like a file cabinet and a storehouse for previous attitudes and emotions that, without notice, can come to the surface when we least expect them. A forgotten memory, a line from a television show, or the words to a song can stimulate strong feelings and emotions for no obvious reason, only that those emotions and feelings live within each of us for years. Did I mention looking at old family pictures, especially the ones at the local beach or playing in the backyard with the countless number of pets over the years.

   As I began to think about being a grandparent myself, I thought back to the days while my grandparents were still alive and the experiences and opportunities we shared together. It was a different time and the generations were vastly different back then and while I don’t remember many specifics of what we did together, what I do remember is just being able to spend time with them, whether it be by talking on the phone or visiting them in person. And even to this day, often I will pick up a photo album or two and look at the pictures. And the fact still remains that no matter how old I get, not only am I now a grandparent, but I remain a grandchild to those who came before me within the family.

   So to my four granddaughters, I wish for them the best for a good and healthy life and hope that their lives will be filled with the joys and excitement that I was able to experience. Laugh when you need to, cry when you must, even if you don’t know why, forgive when it is needed, and learn from the lessons that life has to offer. And always remember that I will always love each one of you.

I need to add a brief addendum here. I know there will be some who will never become a grandparent for whatever reason. But through friendships with others who have become grandparents, meeting the family members, sharing a friendship and sharing stories, one can gain a sense of the grandparent experience.