Hello and Welcome to my webspace. I have been contemplating long what it actually means to be a grand parent. And "don't worry, be happy", must be right at the top of the list.
Remembering back when my children were young, I worried over everything, such as; what's for dinner?, Will my children survive public education?, and even more importantly, "Will my offspring become responsible adults????!!!" The latter being the most pondered question. But, the years moved so quickly into the future, I played the entire life on a per day basis. I didn't look to the future, I simply held up each day as though that were the most important day of all.
The entire time that I just lived, one day at a time, the world evolved. Crime, which was pretty rampid then, became even poorer. My son's were just getting into junior high school when the "gangs" started taking over our neighborhoods. And it was difficult at best, to keep them from the influence of that karma. Oh, we went to church, we studied our bible, and we practiced tolerance, but somehow, the outside influences still affected my sons. While we spent time lecturing and caring for their welfare, we were not open to the forces that were attacking our daughter. As their lives rolled through the years, there was pain that was felt in all. Our family time became non-existent. Our family was torn apart, and everyone knows what happens when you can't control your youth.
I don't say all of this because it's good, or decent, or a wretched story. I say all of this, because, after going through all that, I know that, I cannot worry over how my kids, who are now having kids, take care of them.
As a grand parent, I just don't worry, and try to continually be happy around my grand children, because there are only moments when I sustain influence. Mostly, like my own children, while they are young. Those are the only times that I have seen thus far.
And while, I watch movies, of families who spent their summers by the lake, enjoying family reunions, and togetherness, that wasn't my family. And I don't think that I loved my children any less, I just didn't have all the priviledges that those families had. So while their children grew up into responsible adults, my kids spent time in Juvenile Detention centers. We spent our weekends visiting Boy's Ranches. We cried a lot, we were depressed a lot, and we were ashamed a lot.
But, grand children also bring hope for a family. Hope that things will change. Hope that you can do some things different. And while I have one grand child, 8 now, and one, soon to be born, I know that if I just don't worry, and be happy, I might shed some light on them, and where I have the strongest influence, use it to teach them wonder, nature, and light... rather than depression, darkness, and shame.
Since I am among many grand parents who are taking a definitive hand in raising their grand children, I know that we will make a difference. The moral fibre that was lost back in the 1980's, 1990's, and early 2000's has it's greatest chance to come back now. Because even young people having babies can see the errors made loud and clear. I hope that working together we can make a difference, not worrying.
This is not a script. This is just a thought for future reference of this blog. Just one of the reasons that blogging is allowing me the freedom of my past. Like a broken china doll, I am being reassembled, but instead of with glue, I am miraculously finding all the pieces that make me whole, and growing into a stronger, more beautiful Vase, allowing the character from the inside bloom for all to see on the outside.
