Addie, our 4-year-old granddaughter, is full of surprises.
When we go visit her, we never know what to expect. She’s learning so much and so fast!
Daniel, Jayme, Gracie (15- year-old granddaughter) and Addie Sue have busy schedules with school, preschool, taekwondo and band for Gracie, and math and reading class for Addie Sue. Jayme teaches English and composition online and Daniel works as a project manager for NCR from home. I’m glad they are young and strong to get it all done!
I remember being a young mother and trying to keep up with everything. We need to lift our friends and families up in prayer during these busy years.
Recently, we stayed with the girls while Jayme and Daniel went on a cruise.
You should have seen our list of what to do when and “in case of” instructions. Thankfully, all went well.
While we were chatting in the car, I asked Addie Sue what she wanted to do next. Since Gracie did taekwondo, did she want to learn it, too? Or maybe dance? Or gymnastics?
Addie looked thoughtful.
“I want to be a mommy, like mommy,” she said.
“That’s great,” I started to say when Addie Sue interrupted me.
“No, I think I want to be a Nonnie!” She finished.
Nonnie is what the girls call me, and is the nickname my Daddy gave me.
I was flattered and surprised! I went on to explain she could do dance, or gymnastics or martial arts while she was young and still be a Nonnie.
She looked at me with surprise, “Nonnie’s don’t do gymnastics!” She said.
“Well, what do you think I do when I’m not here with you?”
She gave me a long, earnest look, “You miss me.”
She was so right.
Being a grandparent is a great joy for Gary and me. But being away from them is hard. We keep up by texting and calling, and getting together when we can, but we wish we lived closer and had more time with them.
Are you a grandparent or a “stand in” grandparent for someone? Do you fulfill that role for a family or children?
Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
Grandchildren are valuable and so are the older members of our families. As families grow together, there are many opportunities for spiritual sharing and growth. We need each other.
We remember Timothy’s faith and the influence of his mother and grandmother and find this verse in 2 Timothy 1:5: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
Don’t worry about passing down china, land, houses or cars — concentrate on passing down your faith and your testimony of your relationship with God and what He has done for you!
Even if you can’t do gymnastics!
