Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Grateful

One thing in this life that I am so very grateful for are the grandparents God has provided for my children. My children have no doubt that they are loved so much by these people.

It still amazes me that I have three children and they are all so different. We have the biggest melting pot of characters that live in this house. What would you like to see? Because we have it all. Comedy, drama, singing, dancing, loudness, laughing, crying, philosophers, advocates, politician wannabes....yes, we have it all here at The Edge.

I see my mother's hands and feet with my oldest. She moans and complains about her short fingers and stubby toes....but I think she secretly is thrilled that her Nana can't deny her one little bit. I see my father in law in my son. They have similar mannerisms that make us laugh. An example is being ticklish under the chin. The both of them will go into spasms if you go near that sensitive spot underneath the chin. I see my Daddy in the middle girl. How they both are deep thinkers and contemplate subjects deeply so they are able to present their cases with complete confidence that they are right.

Have I told you lately how much I love my mother-in-law? I am so blessed to have the best MIL in the entire world. I stand by that statement fully. The coolest thing? I am safe and secure knowing that I am her most favorite daughter-in-law. It doesn't matter that I'm her ONLY daughter-in-law. Being the favorite is what counts, Internets. I had to tell you that to tell you this little story.

Yesterday, I was cooking supper. The lid was on the pot simmering, and the biscuits were in the oven finishing up. I was sitting at the table going through some mail when I noticed Makenna over at the stove. I saw this odd expression cross her face before she laughed. She had walked up to see what was cooking in the pot. Normally, I use glass lids but my new set of pots have metal lids. She had walked up and couldn't understand why she couldn't see the food. Then, she saw the reflection of the microwave above the pot and realized the lid was metal. Bless her heart, she doesn't mind laughing at herself. Serious as can be, she said, "Well, I feel stupid."

I just laughed because it reminded me so much of my mother-in-law. (Mrs. M knows I'm totally saying this with love.) Mrs. M always claims that she's having "blonde senior moments". Makenna claims her own blonde moments. I felt it necessary to call my MIL after supper to tell her to come get her grandchild. I told her the both of them could have Senior and Junior Blonde Moments together. I'm here to tell you...if she lived closer? I'm willing to bet she would have been here in a blink. If she has her way? That girl of mine will go spend a summer in Nebraska with her Mimi one day.

I don't know if my children realize just how blessed they are. I was fortunate in that I grew up with wonderful Grandparents. I still have my Grandma and I get all comfy and cozy feeling knowing that woman loves me. She never fails to tell me that she loves me and is always praying for me when we get off the phone. Can't beat that feeling with a stick. If my children don't realize it now? I hope one day they will look back and realize that their grandparents love them dearly...even from far away.

I just had to give a shout out to Grandparents today. I was feeling the love and just want them to know that I appreciate them and all they do. My children may not see them on a regular basis....but love is always there.

5 comments:

Alicia said...

You can still have great grandparent moments even if they live far away, and I am sure your kids will grow to appreciate those moments!

Krys72599 said...

My mom's parents were in our lives on a daily basis: my grandmother was there every day for tea (along with my aunt and my cousin, who to this day, I claim as brother rather than cousin!). My grandfather was there a couple times a week, he'd come by bus, and he'd stay and visit a while, long enough to see his granddaughters come home from school... My grandmother always let us stay up late when she babysat, on cne condition: that we ran upstairs to bed when we saw Mom come home (from PTA, or wherever). Of course she knew but she played along, and WE didn't know Mom knew when we were small - it was Babci letting us get away with something!!!
We went every.single.Sunday to my dad's dad's house. He had a double lot and there was a huge old elm tree with a lily pond, a corn field, and a swing set and we spent all Sunday outside playing with my cousins from that side of the family.
You are giving your children SUCH a wonderful gift by making sure their grandparents are involved in their childhoods. My granddad on my dad's sided died in 1975. My cousin just died a couple of years ago. The family is scattered all over the country but we came together for Todd's funeral. Our strongest memory? Each and every one of us? Granddaddy sitting in his recliner when we got there on Sunday, and we'd lean down and kiss him on the cheek and he'd nod toward the newspaper on the coffee table.
We knew that meant there was a box of Russel Stover chocolate under there for us and we'd each grab a piece (or two!) and run off to play.
My mom never knew about it!!! And she was so surprised that we had that memory of Granddaddy 'cause he was such a quiet, reserved guy...
That memory is a GIFT. May your kids have tons of those types of memories!

Hermes said...

It is becoming more important to me that we stay near to our extended families. This is a new thing for me. I always wanted to be as far away from hometown as possible. But allowing Juno access to grandparents is suddenly a prioirty. Here's to family.

Busy Texas Dee said...

I am sure mom would have come and got her if she could have. It seems she's always there when we need her even if it's just to talk. I don't know how I would manage some days without talking to her. You know I have three very different children here as well. Never a dull moment.

Anonymous said...

Yes, my families are loved very much. I wouldn't have it any other way - and if any of my grandchildren want to come spend time with me they are more than welcome. They are each unique individuals and have their own special ways. Love you DIL from you ever lovin' MIL