grandparents
Becoming a grandparent makes getting older something to look forward to - all the fun of parenting, without the hassle.
EVERYBODY WANTS A HERO
EVERYONE WANTS A HERO, but how many are willing to do what it takes to be that? Whether that be in a single family or an expansive community, a hero has to be somewhat of a leader. From the family father... dad who takes his wife and children on outings on weekends or after work to the mom who follows that track and field, soccer or basketball practice schedule ritualistically being there for their little one. The drive is to assure their child has as much or more than they were ever capable of acquiring or accomplishing They don't want to be that parent that falls short emotionally or financially. They want to provide what can be... without lesser option. The grandparents signing on the become guardian of grandchildren left behind mother or father doing a military duty takes pride in providing that intermediary monitor, but for the amount of time it takes for reality to sink in. They have signed away what very well could be their golden years to relive the trying times of life... for their child. There will be no traveling to distant shores with grandchildren in school while the principal or teacher calls out for help. "He's done it again," is the call out from school for every child at least once; if only to conference on classroom or chosen course expectations. Track meets are hard to keep up with, on schedule and with desires to show family interest, but for a child's. Or readying for the prom... will they attend and stay out how late? ...mom or dad are not around. Everyone wants a hero.
By CarmenJimersonCross4 years ago in Families
He Traded Legs for Wings
To Grandpa Gerkin, I'm not an overly religious person, but when mom said that a cardinal was your favorite bird, I can't help but just wonder when I see one at what seems like the most random moments in life. I saw one when I graduated college, when I moved to my first apartment, when that apartment complex stood in a flood as I lost my car, and when one would appear on the AC unit sticking out from the other side of my window during the 7 months I was unemployed because of the pandemic. But even still during these points that stand out the most, little moments here and there where I just felt hopeless with life and the future felt so uncertain. At my lowest, when getting up out of bed was the hardest task of the day, where it felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and a deep, dangerous sadness sitting on my chest - I would see those bright, distinguishable colors against the dull hue of life.
By Nicole Fenn4 years ago in Families
Grandmother
Dear Grandma, They say a grandma’s hug can cure anything that may ail you. In my life I’ve been blessed to have someone who not only could hug away the pain I was in when I was a child, but also give me tough love when I needed it. I may never be able to fit my grandmothers shoes they simply are just too big for me to ever fill, but everyday I continue to try to be like her.
By Tory owens4 years ago in Families
Owl Eyes
It was a somber winter morning. I awoke to the rooster’s crow, something that happens every day. The events from yesterday morning came flooding back to me. As I lay there thinking of why I didn’t wake up, I became more restless. With a sharp inhale I began to get ready for the day. It was always cold during the winter months, but this morning seemed extra chilly. Snow covered the ground and it was difficult to walk in. It was just the three of us in our small, comfortable home. My father had died unexpectedly some years before and I was the only child. My grandmama came to live with us when my grandfather passed of old age nearly five years ago. As I pulled on my winter boots the rooster crowed again shaking me from my thoughts. Before I went out the door I peeked into the living room. Grandmama was resting in her old, woven chair in front of the fireplace. Her feet were propped up to keep her legs comfortable and a blanket was draped over them. My mother was close by with her hand on Grandmama’s knee. It looked as if she hadn’t slept all night tending to her and the fire. Neither one of them looked in my direction but I could see the faint rise in Grandmama’s chest. Tears began to pillow on my cheeks and I quietly escaped into the early morning.
By Shariana Westfall 4 years ago in Families
Open Letter to my Hero
You were my role model, my hero, and my Grandmother. You were there for us when our parents had to work. You were there for every local United Kennel Club tournament I was competing in. You were there for every basketball game and chorus concert. Thank you. Even when I knew you shouldn't have shown up. You still came to my Jr. & Sr. prom pictures, my Sr. Homecoming, and by the Grace of God you were able to make it to my Graduation. Thank you.
By Jessica Harris4 years ago in Families
The Promise
Our seemingly normal family of five got in the car that day knowing that it would be another difficult ride to school. Juan, my stepdad, must have hated his life to extremes I’d never understood, as it didn’t matter what day it was, every morning he’d wake up shouting and finding something to complain about. Sometimes it was about his shirts not being ironed properly. Or the breakfast not being to his standard. Or the news. Or the weather. Or me. Mainly me if we are being honest. Once he was so upset that I was having breakfast next to him with dirty nails, that he crushed his cup on the wall and asked me to leave the house. Little did he know that all my dreams were about me walking out that door and never returning.
By Lucia Carretero Sierra4 years ago in Families
Good old valve radio
My grandfather had a very old radio, much bigger than today’s micro oven. He used to decide which station to be tuned in to and which program to be tuned in. It was a valve-type radio and it used to take some five minutes to get the valves to get heated up. Before that, we were unable to listen to anything. That was the technology at that time, about nearly 40 years ago when I was a school kid.
By Jayaram A S4 years ago in Families
Bufniţă (Owl)
An old photo reminds me of my family tree. I can never really find it even after digging through the hundreds of pictures in an old shopping bag where we keep them all. I do end up seeing it but I always end up burying it again. It was one with my grandfather and his brothers and sister all young and around the dinner table. It was made of one solid piece of tree that they cut and formed themselves. That was the first ever photo they had together. That must have been in the 1950’s. Since then, my grandparents moved to the city of Cluj and had my father. When he reached the age to leave the nest, my father then moved to America where he had my brother, my sister, and I, who make up the freshest branch of our family tree. Every summer or so, especially in our childhood, we would go there and visit. I can’t find that photo anymore. It must be buried in the hundreds of other family photos. As large as we are. We were once small.
By Paul Chili4 years ago in Families
Grandma's Barn
An old weathered barn stood stubbornly in the powerful glow of the winter moon. A lone owl, of the barn variety, sat perched atop the front eave like a gargoyle protecting its territory. I watched it from an old wooden picnic table in my grandma’s yard for about a half hour until the temperature dropped too low and I had to go inside where it was warm. As I turned to leave, it swiveled its stately neck and looked right at me.
By Thomas Harper4 years ago in Families
The Last Goodbye
We arrived in Florida in January of 2012 and getting my mom settled into her room was faster and easier than expected. My husband was a significant help in setting up the rented hospital bed and dismantling the one we originally had in the bedroom. We reorganized the closet and placed mom’s belongings in it. Our home is one-story, and mom’s room was situated in a part of the house where she needed to turn left as she exited and then a right into the great room. It didn’t take her long to remember how to navigate from one place to another.
By Margaret Brennan4 years ago in Families
