What does it mean to be a grandparent?

Over the last 24 hours I have had the honour and privilege of becoming a grandparent again, no words can express the utter joy I feel.

When your adult children have children of their own it is the most extraordinary experience, our children are always that, our children, whatever their age.

I remember my Mum saying to me that she worried just as much about us when we were 40 as she did when we were small, and I know exactly what she meant.

I was unsure as to whether to blog about becoming a grandparent again, as I know many grandparents find it really difficult to hear that someone has become a grandparent, I really hope people are not sad or unhappy as a result.

The reason for this blog is that it has reawakened the importance of grand parenting for me.

That instant bond that I felt with this tiny little person was all consuming and took me right back to the arrival of our first granddaughter, who is now almost 17 and who has been estranged from us for 10 years.

The raw emotion for us all was palpable.

There was our son holding this precious bundle, close to him, keeping her safe and being Daddy. Just as he had done all those years ago.

This is a new chapter for him and his beautiful wife, a new beginning holding such promise, a proper little family. Yes, of course tinged with sadness that the two girls are not together, but with the hope that one day they might be.

Our first granddaughter will always be the first and the eldest grandchild, she is never ever forgotten, she lives in us all, every single day.

Marc and I will be there for this new little girl, to give support when asked, to hopefully impart some wisdom, to share in the ups and downs of growing up.

And yes to have a secret stash of goodies!

The miracle of new life is just so magical, a perfect little person, all new and untouched by life, pure innocence.

All she needs is to be loved and cared for, and she will be.

I could write about how do things go so badly wrong, but this is not the day for that.

It is a day to rejoice and to be thankful.

Thankful for parents, thankful to the wonderful staff of our NHS, thankful that we live in a country with the modern facilities to care for these little people, and above all thankful for our family.

Jane.

 

About Jane

Jane setup Bristol Grandparent Support Group in 2007 after a string of incidents led to the loss of contact with her Grand Daughter.

View all Jane Posts

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