Grandchildren: Joy Multiplied!

Being a mother has been an ongoing joy for me. I have loved my three children from the time they were born. My love for them has never ceased. Sure, there have been some moments in their lifetimes when they caused me to question my ability to raise them in the manner that they each deserved, but there was never a time that I did not love them joyfully. Each of my three children is different from the others. I made every attempt to take that into account as they were growing up. I viewed them as individuals and tried to nurture and respect their individuality. I feel that I was, for the most part successful. They are now kind, caring, talented, creative and intelligent adults. I feel enormously blessed. A great blessing is that my two adult sons now have wonderful wives whom I adore, and have blessed me with three awesome and amazing grandchildren! My joy is now multiplied!

When I first learned that I was going to be a grandmother, I was thrilled. However, my youngest son and his wife lived in another country. Costa Rica! I was in the United States! Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! So many miles between us! What if they needed me? What if I could not get across so many miles or other obstacles like financial or health insufficiencies? Believing in the power of prayer, I prayed during the months of pregnancy, prayed during the grueling hours of labor, and prayed for a good report. My prayers were answered. My grandson, Makai, was born healthy and into the arms of wonderful parents. I could not wait to meet him.

A few months after Makai was born, I finally got to meet him. He was beautiful! Just as I had done with each of my own children, I gazed at him in awe. Gazing at my children was something that my own mother did not understand. "Are you still staring at those children?" She often asked. My answer was, "Yes, they're amazing!" I still stare at my children. I sometimes need to look into their eyes to marvel at the people they have become. Now that they are adults, I have to sneak in my stares of admiration. I understand how creepy it can feel, so I use restraint. But, really, they are still pretty awesome to me. But, now I have grandchildren, so my stares of admiration are more readily accepted by them.

Less than a year after Makai was born, my oldest son and his wife made the same announcement. Another baby was going to join our family! Joy multiplied and spilling over! After months of fervent prayer, Kennedy was born healthy and beautiful as well. Now I was a grandmother of two! I was faced with the same challenge. She too was born in Costa Rica, and I still was miles away in Pennsylvania. But, make the journey, I did. Spending time with my two grandchildren in Costa Rica was an experience I will forever cherish. The beauty of Costa Rica, combined with the beauty of spending time with family was priceless!

That was a few years ago. Since that time, Makai and Kennedy have grown from infants to toddlers to school-aged children in what seems to be a blink of an eye. Makai will be 8 years old in a few days. Kennedy celebrated her 7th birthday a few months ago. A year and a half ago, we welcomed Asher to our family. He is Kennedy's baby brother and Makai's little cousin. He too is beautiful and healthy. All of my grandchildren are surrounded with the love of wonderful parents and extended family who also cherish them dearly. I have visited Makai several times in Costa Rica, and visited Kennedy and Asher in Charleston, South Carolina where they moved after coming back to the states from Costa Rica. I am still in Pennsylvania where I long daily to spend more time with my grandchildren. I love them and I miss them when we are apart for too long. They grow so quickly and I seem to be aging more quickly than expected.

My situation is not unique in today's society. Many people, like my sons became parents a little later in life. My daughter, who is also approaching her middle years may or may not marry and/or have children. Therefore, I am an aging grandparent. While I am told I "look good for my age," my reality is that I am a senior citizen. I have overcome some life threatening health issues, for which I am grateful. I still have some challenges that I plan to overcome. Afterall, I have grandchildren to enjoy!

While I may not move as quickly as I'd like, or have the stamina I desire, I still enjoy playing, reading, laughing, talking and exploring with my little Darlins. My hearing and my eyesight are not as sharp as they were. These are new, handicapping conditions to which I have not adjusted. I am struggling. However, I am grateful for the ability to still see my grandchildren smile and hear them laugh. It is sometimes very trying adjusting to life as a senior, but adjust I must. I plan to stick around to be an awesome grandmother to my grandchildren to help them navigate the teen years and life as young adults. My grandson Makai once asked me, "Grandmom, are you 105?" I am a few decades from it. How cool would it be if I could make it to that age and still be able to stare up into the smiling faces of my grandchildren. I am grateful for every day of the joy multiplied by being a grandmother. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me and my Darlins! The End.

Enjoy my family through "Makai's World," and "Costa Cousins." Enjoy my books, "Showers of Blessings," "My Dearest Minnie," and others on Amazon.com.