Watch the clock-3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Four o'clock--time to go.
Grandpa and I grab the stuffed green froggy and a sippy cup of chocolate milk as we head out the door to get out the golf cart. The golf cart is electric and we keep it charged for this daily routine. We had purchased the cart when our oldest granddaughter (now fifteen years old) was two. Although faded, it still has her name (Brittany) in big black letters across the front. We had glued two round mirrors on the front and two red reflectors on the back to make it look like a car. She started driving it herself at about four-years-old-as soon as she could see above the steering wheel and reach the go-pedal at the same time. I truly believed it helped her when she began practicing for a learner's permit.
Key on, switch to forward, brake off, press the go-pedal and we are off at high speed (high for an electric golf cart) down the long gravel drive that goes out of the gate and down the tree lined shady lane to the highway. I pull the golf cart over to the side of the drive, pick up the mail from the mailbox, and settle down for a ten-minute wait for the big yellow school bus.
This is our youngest grandson's first year of pre-school. He had just turned four the tenth of September and made the cut by only five days. Attending since mid-August, he looked so tiny his first day and now some six weeks later; he isn't much bigger. I know the bus driver and all the people in cars and trucks sitting lined up behind it laugh at our beaming, smiling, faces. Our hearts swell with pride and love as we watch him climb down the steps and stand behind the metal guard, while looking up for a signal from the bus driver that he may cross the highway.
One day as I was driving back from town and I happened to be behind a school bus dropping kids off from school; I noticed that about eighty percent or better of the parents who were picking up the very young, were grandparents. It's good to know that we grandparents haven't outlived our usefulness by a long shot.
Free daycare can mean a lot to young parents in an economy that has so many major problems. Childcare today can cost upwards of one hundred fifty dollars per child per week. If the parents don't have the luxury of grandparents that can baby-sit, it almost doesn't pay the mother to work outside the home unless, of course, she is a doctor or a lawyer, or works in a day-care center. Most employers frown on bringing your child to work with you.
After picking up our little Mr. McKinley (it was Mickey' until he started school-now he quickly corrects us when we call him that), he doesn't want to go inside right away so we continue to ride around the yard and down by the pond to watch for fish. He offers to drive, but at this early age; we must decline. Memories of his first experience behind the wheel causing shivers to run up my spine. He could reach the go-pedal, which he promptly slammed to the floor, but he couldn't see where he was going. It took all my strength to pull his foot off the pedal, his hands off the steering wheel, and press the brake, while he screeched with laughter. My hair is a bit grayer for the effort.
I don't think I can say it too often-there is nothing greater than being a grandparent-unless it is being a parent.
Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Do a Google or MSN search for Sandra E. Graham My Books and Articles Home Page for more info on my writings and book reviews.
Sandra, we start the grandparent journey in January when our first grandchild will be born. Are you giving us things to look forward to, or things to dread? LOL! Thanks for warning us...I mean, for sharing your insights. :)
Oh, have no fear. It will be the greatest experience you will ever have and will be compounded by each new addition. There is a joke (that is actually very true):
"If I had known how great grandkids could be, I would have skipped having kids and went straight to grandkids!"
not only do grandparents not lose their usefulness, but they are calmer and more laid back, usually, having done this once already! to enjoy grandchildren is probably one of the wonders of the world, they just forgot to add it.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Val. We use our golf cart for everything, hauling down the trash can, dragging off trimmed branches, picking the grandkids up at the bus stop, hauling our fishing equipment down to the pond, and just riding around the yard. And of course, the grandkids love just driving it around.
I'm a parent now - I love it! I am not rushing forward the grand-parenting times but I know that I will love that to when it sneaks up on me one day! Thank you for an honest insight!
I think there are more moving subjects than one' kids - unless something very dramatic happens to them - if not, we all have kids and we all have experiences like that to talk about. Yhe problem is to get other people to listen.
I guess it all depends on how much you love your kids and grandkids. You just want to share that feeling with other people who feel just as strongly as you do. Of course, there are always some who don't. Sometimes some of us just get too depressed at reading the bad things that go on in the world and enjoy reading something pleasant for once. You can skip these types of articles if they aren't something you care to read. There are many categories from which to choose.
I think being a grandparent is wonderful. I have two with one on it's way. The oldest one is two. It looks like I have much more to look forward to. However, I refuse to buy a golf cart. Hehehe.
This story paints a vivid picture. Okay the photo helps, too. But I can just see you, Sandra, pulling desperately at his foot the whole time hoping you weren't both about to crash. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Thank you, Dianne. Yeah, I take photos of just about everything my grandkids do. I have so many albums, picture cd's, and my phone is loaded--just in case I meet someone out somewhere that hasn't seen them. Ha.
Wonderfully inspiring, Sandra! Of course, since I am a grandmother, I totally understood as only another grandmother can. Personally, I like being a grandmother better than I liked being a parent. There was no one to give them to when I was beat! :D You did a wonderful job with this article! Nice way to spend a Sunday!
I loved the article. I never got the opportunity to meet my maternal or paternal grandparents, but God blessed me to become one myself and it is the best thing you could ever experience other than having children of your own. My husband and I try to remember every little detail including the first day of school.
Thank you so much, Deborah. I'm am totally a kid person. I love all kids. But we all know how it is when it comes to our own--we spoil them unmercifully!
Great article Sandra. Although I have no grandchildren in this location where I might pick them up from school, it is still nice to know that others are there. I try to do what little I can for neighbors, but it usually turns out they do more for me than I for them.
Think you Sandrra for the great story. Reminds me of my grandchildren going to school for the first time and getting on and off the bus. I took pictures of them too. Thought I was the only one who did this.
Oh, I'm sure there are millions of 'first day of school' pictures out there. I have taken several of each of my three grandchildren who live close to me--and their parents took several. Actually, I think the bus driver had to wait a few extra minutes while we all got that 'one perfect shot'.
I enjoyed your article, Sandra. I still think in terms of kids, not grandkids, but that is changing as it gets closer to our daughter's due date. We felt the baby move on Saturday! I'm sure that was the first of many, many moves from our grandson in the future! People keep telling us how amazing being a grandparent is. I'm excited to find out for myself.
You can only imagine (at least for now) how great it is. Grandchildren are so wonderful and beautiful. There are just not words capable of describing how they can fill your heart with love.
Thank you so much, Lorrie. And congratulations on the new one. My he be blessed.
Great article. I can, like, totally relate, as the kids would say. Interestingly enough, our son, Mikie, is 3 years old and is going to pre-school. It's his first experience with the bus, and he loves it. Sometimes in the morning he's so anxious he flys off the toilet seat forgetting to take care of things. He's often heard exclaiming in joy, "Bus! Bus! Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" Got to love the innocence. Enjoying our young one is the greatest experience I've ever had. I love that little tornado / monsoon / kissing, hugging machine.
P.S.
Hey, I see you're highligted and picke for article of the day. Would you let us lesser types enjoy some of the glory, please? ;=) God bless.
It's a blessing to have Grant Parent,some people don't and if you are even lucky to grow-up to meet "Dad&Mum" ,you should consider your self highly Favoured by the Almighty.
Sandra Graham, another article by you that I enjoyed tremendously. How lucky "little Mr. McKinley" is to have you in his life! Since I conduct my business from home, I am fortunate to not have to worry about day-care but you bring up good, valid points -- Keep writing!
» left by Sue G. from Little Rock, AR. (53 days 16 hours ago.)
Wonderful article, Sandy. Thanks for having down for the week-end. Had a great time and will call you as soon as I get back home. One-Grandma to another-Grandma.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
(61 days 6 hours ago.)
