Lessons From Grandma

Hello Beautiful People! “Grandchildren give us a second chance to do things better because they bring out the best in us.” ~ Unknown

I have been blessed with 3 amazing grandchildren, and I never take for granted the time I get to spend with them. Every Wednesday is “Grandbaby Day” where Pop (Matt) and I go to our daughter’s house (usually) and bring at least one of our granddaughters to play with our grandson while our daughter does things she needs to do. Most Wednesdays are just playing at the house with dance parties and lunch with some outside play. But then there are days where we go to Disneyland and we eat ice cream and popcorn and watch parades. We wave “hi” to Mickey Mouse and ride Merry-Go-Rounds and then rewatch the videos on my phone for the next few months till we go again. Once a month we do a sleepover at our house where we to crafts, watch movies and eat popcorn. I love every moment of these days.

My Grandma was my favorite person. She was my confidant. She was the person I knew I could trust to tell me the truth even if the truth would hurt. But she would always say it with love, never harsh. When I was young I lived with her for a while until I moved back with my mom. Later in life she was where I would go for a few weeks during the summer, and then when I had my kids, her house was where I would bring them with me for the weekend. I loved sitting in Grandma’s kitchen. We would talk about everything. Nothing was ever off the table. I would call throughout the week and she always had time for me. I knew she was busy, but she never said, “not now.” I always felt calm at Grandma’s house. I know her house was covered in prayer, because her love for the Lord was one of the things I admired about her. I would often ask her who her favorite was, and her answer was always, “Jesus.” I was ok with that answer. It wasn’t until I became a grandparent that I understood her more.

As a parent I was always rushing to get things done. I had to make sure the house was clean, the kids were fed, homework was completed, on top of every other responsibility I deemed necessary. I liked Grandma’s house because it was calm, while my life, for so many reasons, seemed out of control. I was overloaded and didn’t understand why. I didn’t have memes then telling me that “it’s ok to not be ok” or that all moms are feeling like this. I didn’t know I would one day wish for the toys to be all over the house or to have my children crawl into my lap and ask for another story. I admired that parent who seemed to like playing tea party, or made time do puzzles, or had their child help them cook. I wanted to be that parent, but I didn’t have that example of a parent, so I didn’t know not everything had to get done. Thankfully I had the best example of a grandparent. I will sit and make time for each grandchild. I will allow the Christmas tree to be decorated any way they want and for Play-Doe and slime in the house (story for another day). I will sit and play tea party when asked and listen about their games they are into with excitement, even though I have no clue what they are talking about. I will always try to be that calm for them, the trusted voice when they come to me because they are The Good In My Life.