Grandparenting is challenging, at times difficult but always a joy.
Twenty-one years have passed since oldest son Kevin and his wife told me Nicholas was on the way. Two years later both Kevin, his wife and Erin and his wife (Kathleen) told me I was to be a grandparent again. Late October brought Courtney and Shelby.
Three years later my life was made richer and lovelier by two grandsons, Tucker and Brenden.
Each grandchild has brought his or her own ways … of studying, dreaming and finally, finding their way in a confusing world.
When they were younger, the moms often went shopping on Saturdays. I hosted tea parties for the granddaughters. I’ve found myself babysitting, making meals, listening to problems, giving advice and sharing my love and concern on many occasions.
Circles, lazy-8s, any way I moved the motorized wheelchair around the driveway delighted my one-year-old granddaughter Courtney, sending her into peals of laughter. She sat on my lap with her arm hooked around my neck. She smiled broadly as we scooted ’round and ’round.
Son Erin laughed as he watched us. “With you mom, your grandchildren get a twofer — a grandmother and a giant mechanical toy.”I lived close to their home and ran over for visits when I it was convenient. We found lots of activities we could share. Courtney always knew she owned my heart.
Before they were born I worried about how I could be as much fun as other grandparents. Silly me!
Courtney began spending Sunday afternoons with me when she turned five. We poured icy ginger ale into a pretty gold teapot rescued from a garage sale. We served each other “tea” in matching gold cups and munched on cookies and fruit.
Soon it was a weekly tea party with grandmother instructing eager grandchildren as they learned checkers, Chinese checkers. Old Maid and all the classic board games. As each got older, they joined in.
It began a close relationship over the years. Courtney just turned 18 in October, 2008. They share school adventures and I tell them about the great grandparents gone before. My kids never liked stories about the olden days, but the grandkids love ‘em.
Is it difficult being a grandparent while confined to a wheelchair? Not even a little bit. With a little imagination and lots of love, we have found many ways to be close.