Guest Blogger: Grandma

Grandma and Ben at a sports bar.

I don’t have to tell you how wonderful it is to be a grandparent. All of a sudden it is your house they run to instead of run away from. You receive unconditional love; you get a picture every time you show up; great hugs, kisses and all around recognition for just being you. It is kind of like being a kid again. So there you have it, I am one happy grandma.

Ben was my first grandchild. I think that once we knew that he was medically healthy, I set my mind to getting him to be all that he can be. I think at first I was a little too gung-ho and did not take into consideration the feelings that my child and her husband were experiencing. I was, you have to do this.. this .. and that. That’s just me. I like to find solutions to situations. I want to know the end result. Plus I am a special educator so I know a lot of what is out there. I think I did manage to offer some good suggestions. Vanessa is very good about taking advice, and I appreciate the fact that she does value my opinion. I eventually backed off and now I think we have a good balance of asking first, advising later.
As for my Ben, he is truly a joy to behold. I believe he is a special gift to our family. It is difficult to put into words how wonderful he is. I know he can be difficult at times. I have witnessed a few of those times. But overall, Ben gives something special to everyone he meets. A smile, a laugh, a great big hug (sans hair pulling, please). He loves any attention given by children and adults. He has a special bond with Bob the Builder, something none of us can understand. He loves bananas and peanut butter, a taste he inherited from his great grandfather. He can stand at a table and get himself into a chair. He can feed himself with a spoon. He has excellent receptive language. He can melt your heart with a smile.

Swinging at the park.

So if you see him at the mall, park or sports bar (he goes for the TV’s) stop by and say hello. You will be rewarded with a smile, great interest in your jewelry or glasses or maybe he won’t look at you at all (that’s just him).

So what is it like have a grandchild like Ben? It is as wonderful as having a grandchild like Logan, Sean, Jackson, Ethan and Samantha.

Grandma with all her grandchildren and two daughters.