The joy of spending time with our grandkids runs deep in my heart.
Because I got to spend time in December with all of our 5 grandkids, I’m remembering the joy I felt.
However, I didn’t get to have all of them under one roof at the same time. Hoping one day that will happen.
You see, Elianah, at just over 3 months old, lives in Florida. Gavin, 18, Phoebe almost 16, Olivia 8 and Reid 5, all live here in the Twin Cities within 15 minutes from us.
If you are a grandparent, you know about the joy I feel when I’m with our grandkids.
Since the baby wasn’t born until the end of September, we didn’t get a 4 generation photo with my parents, Abby and Elianah, before Mom passed away quickly in August.
As a result of Hale and I spending time this past July, in Ohio at my parents summer place, with the older two grandkids and then Liv and Reid, we did capture the photos you see above.
As I am writing this, I find I cherish more of my present moments than I ever have.
How about you? Have you found that as life goes on, with death and birth in the mix, you stop and cherish more?
Christmas Eve and Christmas day were harder than I thought they would be for me. It was hard being in the home I grew up in with my dad, without Mom. It was the first time in my over 66 years, Mom wasn’t there for the holidays. My feelings I felt were so foreign.
The anger of the grieving process showed it’s head.
And in between it all, I was honored to be present with Elianah for her first Christmas and her Dedication on December 26th.
I felt my bond with her, deepen and grow, that began before she was born. And immediately after she was born for the first 11 days of her life. It continued, with each of the precious moments with her in Toledo, in the home I grew up in.
She is the friendliest, happy, loving baby. She did her best to talk to me and to others in my family. I felt my joy and love grow deeper.
Similarly, I watched as my sisters, Hale, my dad and others, fell in love with this precious, newest member of our large family.
The grief I felt missing my mom’s presence was helped by the joy Elianah brought.
Our grandkids are such a huge part of us. Not only by DNA, only with the hope and love they bring for our future to carry on.
My hope and intention in this new year of 2022, is to get to spend more quality time with each of our 5 grandkids.
Since Elianah is the furthest away, it will take more planning to fly down to Florida. My dream is to buy a place Hale and I can stay in near them, during the coldest parts of our Minnesota winters. And then rent it out when we aren’t there.
Finally, to begin making a part of this happen, my dad and I are flying to stay with Abby, James and Elianah for a week in February. Then in March, Hale and I will spend a week or so with them as well.
You see, it’s important to me to be present as much as I can, to watch our newest grandchild grow and change, as babies do so quickly.
As I look at my intentions for this coming year, most of them are about my relationships.
What are yours for 2022? Please share with me. I’d love to hear about them.
With love and appreciation to each of you as I begin my 10th year of sharing from my heart in my weekly blogs,
Connie
PS. I really like this short piece about spending time with your grandkids:
PSS. Below are photos of Elianah’s Dedication with the two pastors and her 1st Christmas.
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