GRANDPARENT'S DAY!!

On August 8, 1978 President Carter signed the proclamation declaring the first Sunday following Labor Day “Grandparent’s Day”.  At the time I thought…okay…Hallmark just got a huge sales boost!  Just another “special day” for them to sell cards, etc…..

Fast forward……

July 13, 2011…Bryan and Jessica presented me (okay..not just me…but I am the one writing this!) with the most precious of all gifts and I became a Grammy.  I fell in love..instantly..whole heartedly…and I am not ashamed to admit it!!  I now know why grandparents will brag about their grandbabies, why they have a wallet full of pictures (except now it’s a cell phone!) just waiting to show those pictures to anyone..even strangers!  I proudly overload my FaceBook pages with her little face and boasts about her accomplishments.

I am so proud to be Isabella’s Grammy. Do I feel “old” because I now have this new title? Nope..quite the opposite!  I feel energized. I feel youthful.  I am playing with Play-Doh again. I’m building new creations with Leggos.  I’m crawling around hiding under tables and chairs playing hide-and-go-seek (or peek-a-boo, or hiding from zombies!).  I’m slowly learning new tricks..like how to braid hair correctly (very slowly!!) and her patience is appreciated.  Her hugs energize me.  Her smiling lips and eyes light up my life.   Her tears hurt me, and her “I wuv you, Gwammy” melts my heart.

When my sons were born I became “Mom”. I had two beautiful sons to raise, to teach, to instill morals and values, to show them how to be strong and independent, to love and give love.  To show them how important family is and that family will be by your side no matter how old they were, or where they lived.  “Mom” was the most important and proudest title I could ever ask for. “Mom” made me strong, “Mom” made me the fixer of things (from broken toys to injured limbs and hearts), “Mom” made me feel invincible.  “Mom” made me special.

….. and then …. July 13, 2011 …. I became “Grammy”.  I now have a new role. A role I welcome and cherish.  

Do I need a special day to declare that I am special?  No…but do I now understand why a day was set aside  "...to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer" ....  Yes.

So as I look at pictures today of Bella..seeing how much she has grown, how strong she is, how beautiful she is…. I shout outloud.. I AM A GRAMMY!!!   And I am so very, very happy to be in the Grandparent’s Club.

Thank you, Bryan and Jessica. Thank you for sharing your Precious with me.

I AM GRAMMY!!