My grandchildren Connor and Emma, and my "one of my other grandchildren", Ryan.
As I’m preparing for the weekend ahead and enjoying this incredibly beautiful February day, I realize that life takes so many twists and turns as we get older. Parents have certain responsibilities and obligations to their children. But grandparents have much more freedom when it comes to what they do, give and say to their grandchildren.
I love my grandchildren dearly – they brighten up every day for me, whether I see them in person or just talk to them by phone. All three of them are special to me in their own unique ways.
But today I was reminded of something — I have 7 grandchildren! Now, how did that happen?
You have to understand a few things about my life before this makes sense. My brother is 2 years younger than me and we share a very special bond. He lives almost 3 hours away, and we look forward to frequent weekend visits, family holidays together here in Goochland, texting, emailing and talking by phone. This also brings me closer to his children.
I remember when my niece and 3 nephews were ages 5, 4, 2, and newborn. Now they are 23, 22, 20 and 19 – and yes, they are all in college at once! (Okay, he’s my CRAZY brother).
Over the years, my husband and I have become closer and closer to the children. They text, email or call me several times a week – and sometimes several times a day depending on what’s going on in their lives! I have come to love them almost as much as my own children. The bond with my brother’s children is unusually strong and loving and I am grateful to have them in my life too.
And that brings me to my weekend plans.
With all of my nephews and my niece in college, my brother and his wife sometimes visit alone these days. He told me they would be coming for a long weekend with us. But as this day unfolds, it seems the crowd is growing!
My niece from Longwood texted to say, “Surprise – I’m coming too!”. My nephew at VCU texted, “Guess what – I’m staying at your house all weekend,” and my nephew in graduate school at Marymount just called to say, “Surprise – I’ll see you in about an hour ’cause I’m headed that way!”
Wow!
From 2 to 5 overnight guests in less than an hour!
But that’s okay, they’re family and preparations usually only include some – okay a LOT – of extra groceries and late nights talking and being together.
And that’s when I remembered what they all told me during the Christmas holiday. “Gigi, you’re like a grandmother to us. We love coming to your house and spending time with you.”
What a blessing to have them think of me in such a special way.
And I don’t have to pay for them to go to college either!
Life doesn’t get any better than this!
