A Grandmother Is A Little Bit Parent, Teacher, and Best Friend.

BY TERRI MARTIN

When I was raising my children, my life was a burst of activity. I had a full-time job and was always rushing back and forth from work, trying to squeeze in as much time with my kids as possible. Every day, something was going on. I loved every moment of it, and the days seemed to fly by.

Before I knew it, the kids were off to college, then graduated, found jobs, got married, and raised their families.

Before I became a grandma, I  would sit and listen to my friends talk about how wonderful it was to have grandchildren. They proudly shared their photographs with me, and I knew that when it came to my turn, I would wonder how it could be as amazing as they said it would be.

“As my son once told me in jest, “I think you had us so that you could be a nana and grandpa!”

But then when my daughter become a ‘mother,’ and I was the first to hold my granddaughter in my arms, it didn’t take long for me to realize that my own heart was now firmly placed in the palm of her tiny hand. As she looked at me with her big blue eyes it was love at first site—and I was fine with that!

I felt the same way when a pair of identical twin boys arrived, each precious in their own way.  It’s unbelievable how such little people can bring so much joy and happiness—but they do. And I discovered it was even better than I could have imagined.

Now with time and wisdom on my side, I can enjoy spending time with my grandkids without too much pressure.

My big, strong husband melts like a marshmallow in their hands. There is joy in my heart when I observe the love that is so evident between them, to watch them as they begin to walk hand in hand, to see him with my son teaching them to ride a tricycle, or when one of the little ones curls up on their laps, snuggled as close as they can get.

It truly doesn’t get much better. As my son once told me in jest, “I think you had us so that you could be a nana and grandpa!!!