Being a Great-Grandparent Takes Love to New Heights

Maybe you’ve heard the saying,”If I knew how much I would love my grandchildren, I would have had them first.” Well, the love that great-grandchildren inspire in us is even better! Spending time with two of my 13 great-grandchildren, ages 5 and 6, was a treat this past Monday. They are the grandchildren of my youngest son who died in 2006 at the age of 30. Malcolm would have loved being a grandfather, and I am so glad that my granddaughter makes sure that her children knows of her beloved father. I showed them his picture and informed the boy that his middle name was the same as his grandfather.

Malcolm took his girls everywhere with him, once putting 25000 miles on my Kia Rio in seven months. He had high hopes for his girls, and I believe he would be proud to be a grandfather. I know that for me, Malcolm lives on in these two beauties who touch my heart and make me so glad to still be above ground to see four generations living. They also reminded me of why we have children young, for they left me so tired and worn out in just three hours that I was both glad to see them leave and saddened. I am looking forward to seeing them in a few days again, but will be sure to eat my Wheaties for breakfast and lunch! They ran from room to room, awed by all they saw, and calling everything awesome or amazing!

Yes, being a great-grandparent takes love to a new level, because these are the children who will take our dreams into the future after we are long gone. They give us hope, and we work today to try to make the world better for them. I thank the Lord for the gifts of 13 little ones. I would have never guessed that I would one day have so many, but I do have 15 grandchildren plus the three grandchildren Douglas and I share from his daughter. So, our lives and love is full, and we look forward to every minute we can spend with randchildren and great-grandchildren, telling them our stories, sharing our hopes and dreams, and reminding them that they are loved and valued by Great-grandmother Gina and by the Lord God Almighty whom I serve.

It’s a whole other level of joy, love, appreciation, gratefulness, and peace from grandparenting. But oh the joy that fills our hearts to know that a new generation has come.