It’s a delightful coincidence that the first three letters of Gratitude and Grandchildren are one and the same.
Why do we take such pride, joy and delight in our children’s children?
Allow me to put forth a trio of theories:
When we had our own little ones, be it twenty, thirty or forty years ago, we were in the middle of the mix, life coming at us quickly from a dozen different directions. We enjoyed their youthful antics, their amusing malaprops, the endearing qualities of babies, toddlers, grade schoolers, etc., but we were simultaneously distracted by all of life’s complexities.
By the time most of us have grandkids, we are slowing down, focusing more on what pleases and fulfills us, and hopefully putting less emphasis on what we “have” to do.
Speaking of slowing down, it doesn’t matter how ardently I pursue my outdoor passions or continue to focus on mental acuity. Now that I’ve matriculated to the “Medicare Years,” I feel somewhat diminished physically. Or as the biblical saying goes, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I relish watching those little ones jump, dive, roll, tumble and contort themselves in ways no longer available to me. I laugh and marvel when, if they’re not reduced to tears, they come up smiling.
Thirdly, finally, and at the risk of sounding grim, the closer we get to the end of the line, as the sand continues to sift southward through the hourglass, we cling more dearly to the vestiges of our long-ago youth.
Since we can’t reverse the clock or jump into a time machine, holding close and surrounding ourselves with those who are still enmeshed in the bloom of youth might be the next best thing.
Whatever the reasons might be, grandchildren are one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Or to paraphrase French novelist Marcel Proust, “Let us be grateful to people (Grandchildren!) who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
Nicely put. I think what you left out is that our grandkids are also our revenge on our children. The sleepless nights worrying about them, are they making the right decisions… Now they can enjoy the anxieties of parenthood
Excellent argument GT. I can’t say that I disagree with your 3 arguments in fact, for most, I would think your arguments are incontestable old boy. Happy healthy grandchildren are good for the soul. – DAG
Beautifully said! My life is so much better because of my grandchildren. Our final and sixth one will arrive this August!!
Beautifully written Joel. Thanks for sharing…what I have been feeling but said so much better. Hope your summer is off to a great start. Miss our little 1981 family.
So true Joey. Thanks for sharing your well composed and thoughtful prose.
What a joy to be able to savor the joy of grand parenting…..darn lucky!
Your reflections summarize how I feel about the gift of membership in the Grandparent Club.
What’s amazing is that the joy and love multiplies not only the number of grandchildren but with their ages.
From twenty year olds to an eleven month baby, this ride brings immeasurable happiness.
Well said!!
As my mother used to say, If I had known having grandchildren was so much fun, I would have had them first!
Always grateful for the time I get to spend with my grandson, and the older he gets the more fun it is.
You are so right! Grandkids are the best and I’m so very grateful for mine!
Well written. You are spot on and I count my blessings each and every day because of the joy my seven (so far) have given me.
And each one is special and different in their own way.
Sometimes we curse at technology but FaceTime is the best thing that happened for grandparents. Although our kids are spread around the country, we get to see them and the grandkids get to see us often.
For these things I am truly greatful.
When with my grandchildren, I’m acutely aware of the uncertainty of my future. While I have every intention of remaining agile and capable, and living to see them grow up, Ive watched too many of our contemporaries that weren’t that lucky, to know that we are only guaranteed today. I tire more easily, but take every opportunity to spend time with them making memories for them to remember me by. Today was accompanying our 4 y/o adventurer on a bike ride and hike through the “forest” (AKA Laurel Pond). The hour together walking and talking, and watching him relieve himself behind a tree, were priceless.
I couldn’t agree more! I loved being a parent but being a grandparent is an even greater blessing! I feel so grateful that I can have my kids and grandkids mostly close by so I can help play with them during these formative years. Nothing fills my heart more than them running into my arms and yelling JOJO!!!
Well done, Joel!
Great perspective and thanks for sharing!