“That Made Me Happy!”
En route with two grandsons to swim lessons last week, we dove into our typical end-of-day questions. While never knowing for certain what the level of enthusiasm will be, on this particular Monday night, they were all in. After hearing about their current recess games-of-choice and who won the basketball knock-out competition, I added, “Was there something that made you extra happy today?” Jack, the younger of the two, enthusiastically exclaimed “Yes!”
Upon further probing, Jack described how he was working alone at his preschool art center that day and didn’t know if any friends would come over to join him. The concern from a 4 ½ year old’s heart was clear—and a little sad—but . . .
But, then two friends left their center and what they were doing and walked over to do art alongside him. As he wrapped-up the story, Jack circled back to the original question, and concluded “That made me happy!”
We then talked about how sometimes it’s ok and necessary to work and play alone and other times it’s nice to have a friend beside us.
Grandparenting can be a lot like that. Often times we “work” alone if we’re babysitting grandkids and tending to the needs of our own families. If we have the resources of time and health to serve our children and their children, we’re beyond blessed. The picture of grandparents spread across our communities and world all investing in grandchildren in our unique situations, is a beautiful and impactful one.
Similarly, beautiful and impactful in another way is when we as grandparents momentarily step away from our own “family center” and come alongside another grandparent. When our anticipated “more margin” turns out to be “less margin,” getting together requires effort, planning, and determination. Whether we’re the one who sets aside our preferences and the activities we most love to step toward a friendship—or we’re the one standing alone who longingly extends the invitation, we’ll be the better for it. And, our grandkids will be the better for it. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV). When we’re “spurred on” and “encouraged,” how much more likely are we to spur on and encourage our grandkids.
The solidarity, the shared ideas, the perspective from a friend who’s already walked through our grandparenting phase, the encouragement to keep investing in the next generations, and the prayers we offer for each other and our grands, reap an off-the-charts return that continues far beyond the short-term and enriches our grandkids for the long-term.
This Grandparent Life is the best life. It’s not an easy life, but it’s the best life. It requires wisdom beyond our compounded years—wisdom that comes from God and godly companions—for our fourth quarter—quite possibly our most important quarter.
Let’s look up from our singular “center” and walk across the classroom of grandparenting—SO THAT our final quarter will be a fruitful one, having impact on not only this generation, but generations to come.
Kay Fuller (a.k.a. Grammy Kay)