Today’s is National Grandparents Day and I like that it’s designed to be a two-way celebration. Not only is this holiday, which earned official status in 1978, meant to show appreciation for the knowledge, love and guidance of grandparents but for grandparents to return that love.
My oldest son has two children but my granddaughter lives in Japan and I haven’t seen her other than an occasional picture since she was one; seven years ago. (The story behind that heartbreak will have to wait for another day.) His son, Alex, now lives across country but we have a great relationship thanks to technology and tenacity. His mom and I work hard at it.
Alex lived near us until a few months after his second birthday. Seeing him grow and change those two years gave my husband and I immense joy. I had the honor of watching him come into the world and every moment since with him has been a present.
When they moved for job reasons, my heart hurt even though I knew it was best for the family. We figured out ways to grandparent long distance. Skype chats are supplemented with in-person visits, packages and cards.
Seeing your children grow into parents and loving a child without all the responsibility are two of the reasons being a grandparent is so different from the parent experience. I’m looking forward to the day other grandchildren come into our lives but appreciate every day we have now.
Being a grandparent has given me new insight into my own grandparents. Each set of grandparents had over a dozen grandchildren and it was difficult to get individual attention but somehow they found away to do so. We didn’t have trips to Legoland or boxes of gifts like Alex does, but love and attention are things money can’t buy.
It’s a lot to think about as we remember and celebrate Grandparents today. Enjoy the moments; they end too soon! What’s your favorite Grandparents moment?
I love ALL aspects of being a grandmother.
Ran across some activities to mail that my grandson and I immediately sent to my granddaughter – a mailable hopscotch game. Cut up 10 rectangles of bubble wrap, label them 1 thru 10 with magic markers and mail, with instructions on how to lay them out in a hopscotch court, then imagine the giggles when your grandchild jumps onto the rectangles and pops the bubbles!
Grandparenting from a distance is hard but do-able.
I, too have grandchildren that moved far away after being just doors away.
When they move it was THE hardest thing. (I’m still not over it.)
Skype, Facetime, letters, packages and phone calls fill in for hugs, until we visit.
Thank you for sharing your heart!
(I don’t feel alone in this journey)
I’m not at the point where my kids are even married yet, but I would certainly try my hardest to maintain relationships with my grandkids, even if distance was an issue. Thanks for the insight.
Happy Grandparents Day a day late! I love your philosophy and attitude to grandparenting — it is just like mine and I can hear the joy and love in your words. I am lucky enough to only live one mile from my amazing (and only) granddaughter and I grab every moment of it that I can! Just stopping by from The GRAND Social! Off to explore your blog. Hope you get a chance to stop by, too!
Sweet photo! It’s hard being a long-distance grandparent, but you sure are making the best of it. Far too many “favorite” grandparent moments for me to pick one. They all, though, feature lots of hugs and smiles and more from my sweet grandsons. Love, love, LOVE those boys! 😀