I have fond memories of my grandmother. She lived 500 miles away and didn't visit too often. In my teens and twenties, I visited her and thought she was a hoot. She played cards with her lady friends and taught me to play poker and Crazy Eights. She took me to my first baseball game (St. Louis Cardinals) and jumped the light to make a left turn before opposing cars could go. I learned the term "kangaroo court" from her during a trip from our house to hers. I wished I'd known her better. She died at 69, and I was 27. I still wish she'd lived long enough to see my children and husband and that they had gotten to know her.
Hubs and I moved three years ago to be close to our only (at the time) grandchildren. I wanted them to get to know us. I wanted to go to Grandparents' Day at their school and go to their dance recitals or flag football games. We've done all that and more. We have them spend the night while their parents have "date night." And when they have a snow day and their parents have to work, we welcome them to spend the day with us. I found a wonderful website (
My StoryMaker from Carnegie Public Library) that lets me share my love of writing and reading with them.
My son lives over 2,000 miles away and has a lovely daughter. Now we're the grandparents who live far away. Though she's still a toddler and our daughter-in-law sends daily pictures and videos, it's not like we get to see her in person. FaceTime is great, still not the same. Visiting for a month helps. Her happy face when she sees us just warms my heart. She runs up to us, grinning, and lifts her arms to be picked up. I can't resist. I'm mush. She's almost two and her favorite word is--you guessed it--no.
I love watching my son with her. She's got him wrapped around her finger. (Not saying she doesn't have Hubs and me around her other fingers.) Her other grandparents live close. They babysit when needed and get to see her often. Although we're here now, we'll have to leave her and go home. For now, I'll read to her before nap, or whenever, I'll rock her as long as she lets me. I'll enjoy the time we're here and eagerly await her visit in the summer. Maybe we can come back sooner???
The most important thing is I hope she'll grow up having fond memories of Hubs and me.
