Just before I sat down to update my blog, a friend called me
to share her exciting news: she had just become a grandmother that
morning. She breathlessly described her
new grand-daughter as being the most perfect, most beautiful, most special baby
ever born – although she had yet to actually meet her. And, of course, that is the way it should
be. A grandparent’s unconditional love
is a child’s most precious gift.
Another good friend of mine will become a grandmother in
July. My sister became a grandmother a few months ago. My brother now has four grandchildren. Another friend relishes her role as
grandmother to twins. So many other
friends and family members are entering this new world of grandparent-hood and
the transformation is nothing short of amazing.It is almost magical to watch the change which occurs when one goes from simply being a parent of an adult child to suddenly holding that child’s newborn baby and out of the blue realizing that THIS is the moment you have been waiting for all your life. Any grandparent will tell you how amazed they are at the strength of the love they feel for their grandchildren from the moment they are born. How often I have heard grandparents say “I didn’t expect to feel this way”. Almost every new grandparent I have known has said it is not possible to imagine that feeling of holding your first grandchild, or how it changes your world.
This new little life can do no wrong, is perfect in every
way and is so very much loved. There is
a special relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents, and it is
created the moment the child is born. New grandparents marvel at the instant
bond they feel, a bond which lasts a lifetime.
This bond and unconditional love is shared by grandparents and
grandchildren everywhere. It is unique and it is wonderful. Witnessing – or
receiving - this love is incredible just by the sheer strength of it.
How fortunate these little grandchildren are to have
grandparents who give them unconditional love, have time to spend with them and
who make them feel so special.
Grandparents can kiss hurts away, share secrets and see to it that their
grandchildren bask in their unquestionable and undeniable love. Most
importantly, children know that in the eyes of their grandparents, they are
perfect.
I read once that becoming a grandparent is God’s reward for
growing old. As I watch friends and
family blossom in their new role as grandparents, and take this next step in
life, I think that this is indeed
true. Embracing life’s next step . . .
it’s a good thing!
