Grandparents

I was blessed with wonderful grandparents. I was particularly close to my dad’s parents as they lived close and would often babysit me growing up. My grandpa was a 6 foot something giant or so it seemed to little my little girl self. He was mostly bald but with the little bit of hair that he had, I was allowed to style it with barrettes. Well, he may have been asleep in his chair while I did it but that’s besides the point! He and my grandma would sit and play Trouble with me for hours being careful to let me win since apparently I was kind of a sore loser! My grandma let me pretend to be a waitress all afternoon feeding her saltines and water that she was supposed to pretend was a steak or some fancy dish. The last Christmas I had with my grandpa, I got a talking barbie doll for one of my gifts. Each time he would doze off in his chair, I would stick that doll in his ear and push the button, “Let’s go to the Mall!” He would jump, eyes wide and then laugh. He passed away shortly after, I was only in the third grade. I wish I could have had more time with him but I am grateful for what time I had. My grandma remained on this earth with us until I was pregnant with my first daughter. I don’t think I ever realized just how important she was to me until after she passed. Sometimes it feels like every other story begins with, “My grandma…” As soon as my brothers or I had our driver’s permit, we would stick grandma in the car and drive around for hours. For some reason, though she didn’t drive anymore, her license was still active. This probably wasn’t always the best idea but she loved it because she could hang out with one of us! Every Christmas, her and I would make enough Christmas cookies to feed an army, then go look at Christmas lights in the nearby neighborhoods. When I went to college, I would talk to her on my drives back and forth; she was always so tickled that I could be calling from my car! She just always seemed to be there, ready to talk or listen. I loved her so much! I wish that my own kids could have met her, she would have adored them. But I am thankful for my own parents and the grandparents that they have become. They too are always there for my kids. My oldest and my dad have a special kind of bond. My mom, their nana, makes all of them laugh. They are a blessing. Grandparents are a blessing. God has given them such a special role in a child’s life, one that is so cool to see and is often overlooked.