Backstory
When my granddaughter read this story, she was disappointed. She usually likes my stories. But in this muse, she felt I was accusing grandkids of choosing not to spend time with me. I was not. My story wondered how they would choose to spend their time under Grandma’s roof.
Grandmotherly Visits
I remember riding on the train – backward. It made me dizzy. My grandmother would pick me up in Brooklyn and we’d take the train to her home in Northeast Pennsylvania. She would keep me for a couple of weeks, or a month and then take me back to my parents.
I loved those visits.
I expected I’d be doing the same thing with my grandkids when the time came. But that’s never happened. They’re far away. They’re busy. They have plans. I have plans. And somehow, the opportunity never presents itself.
My granddaughters have never poked through my jewelry box or worn my opera-length pearls. They have not ransacked my hat boxes and posed in my old Easter bonnets or waddled about in my high-heeled shoes.
I wonder what it would take for me to get one of them under my roof for a few weeks. Nothing short of kidnapping, I think.
Would they like it? Would they have wanted to hear the story of how an Asian craftsman took years to carve this ivory tusk? Would they serve tea in the same teacups from which their great-grandparents sipped? Would they enjoy looking through old photos and learning about relatives they have never met?
Or would they sit in my parlor playing video games or texting friends at home? Would the visit show how much I love them? Or bore them to tears?
Guess I’ll never know.
P.S. Those of us who seek to recreate happy events from the past might instead craft new memorable events in the present.
[Show #446]
It’s a whole different universe out there now, eh Annette? i have only one child, Shannon, and one grandchild, Ashlyn, all grown up now. we loved traveling and finding new adventures I’m so glad we did, because now her interests are “whatever he wants to do”! it was tuff for awhile. Then I remember this is all part of. the progression of life.
I now have six grandchildren. They range in age from 19 to newborn. I live 20 minutes to an hour away from them. I visit with them and spend time with them “where they are” age-wise. Yesterday my five year old grandson asked me to play cars with him, I did. My 8 year old grand daughter asked me to make sand art with her, I did. My 19 year old grandson asked me to make lazyman’s lasagna for supper and his 10 year old brother asked for meatballs to go with it. My very newborn granddaughter just wanted to be held. I meet them “where they are”,so to speak. My one year old grandson is coming today. I’m just making our house safe for a newly cruising dude. I have no expectations. I just meet them where they are.
Geographically close helps but it is your wise approach and energetic participation that makes it such a pleasure for all. Next question – Did the 19 year old bring his cell phone to the dinner table?
No, cell phones are not allowed at their table. The conversation was lively and interesting.
Sounds like Mama has set expectations. Homemade lasagna deserves an atmosphere of lively conversation.
One of the best Annette
Thank, Mike. Your comments are always so welcome.
i am very fortunate as three of my great grandchildren live within walking distance
another one lives in SC but my daughter brings her up often
summer time best as i set up
the side porch for arts and crafts
this january another of the extended family cane up and 18 of us went to bryce for ice skating
i do have 3 others who only text as their parents take them camping and various exotic trips
years ago i took two of the grandchildren for 10 days to my summer camp in maine
heavenly times
camp sold but one lives close but now adult marrird snd busy
did spent a week in SC and bought crafts from michaels
grand week
baking cookirs and muffins ot helping in garden a big hit
working on a play area in the attic
i keep
trying to connect
Evident that the grandmoms are doing our part, and enjoying the doing. As you said, Joan, we just keep trying to connect.