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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Grandparent(s) (04/03/08)
I'm one of those sappy grandmothers who could easily say no to Superman, but if one of my doe-eyed bambinos blinks an eyelash, they have me in a heartbeat. What makes a nominally sane (aging has its own "logic") 58 year old grandmother go gaga over these precious little people called grandchildren? It's insanity, pure and simple, but it's the good kind.

I had the wonder and joy of watching the home birth of my firstborn grandson. He was a pistol from the beginning and delayed his arrival by hours. His poor mother and nail-biting grandmothers (myself and his maternal grandmother) were getting worried that there might be complications, when Jonathan finally made his grand entrance. He nonchalantly popped out, wide-eyed awake and full of wonder, refusing to sleep from the get go. Now, he’s 16, still wide-eyed and refusing to sleep. And I can’t decipher if he doesn't need much sleep, or if the teen years have turned hormones into defiance against sleep, or if he's still afraid he's going to miss something. Yet, he still turns my heart into mush even though I sometimes wish he'd step into a time machine, and instantly become 25, to avoid some of the teen challenges.

After the difficult firstborn, the next five arrived merrily entering into the world with assorted personalities and dispositions, having minds of their own, and turning my heart into so much mush, I think my reasoning power is rendered totally useless. With what ittle money I have, I manage to pay my bills after I figure out how I'm going to send surprise gifts to my six maturing grandchildren. First things first.

Every birthday is Christmas, and every Christmas I'm Santa Claus incarnate. Why? Because I just can't say no. Not because my no is yes (let your yes be yes, and your no be no), but because my yes always finds a way, and I still manage to render unto Cesar what is due.

Grandparenting is God's highest calling to a graying generation. And it's forever calling me to set aside motherly mistakes of the past. I am mature enough now to know that without the Lord I am nothing, and as I glean greater wisdom from studying His Word, I seek to encourage growth in the minds and hearts of my grandchildren. I hold the key to sharing wisdom of the present, for as I've aged, the past and its mistakes are gone. The present is now all I have.

With Christ, I have learned that He is the reason, the answer, the only way as I know firsthand that youth is fleeting, and the future truly is in God's hands. I diligently seek to impart wisdom to the choices open to the hearts of a new generation growing up in a confused society.

This mushy grandmother knows that I know that I know. And my greatest strength is wanting them to know that they know that He is the reasoning behind right choices, successful futures and aging old joyfully and gracefully.

Pardon me now as I continue to bid Superman farewell. He seems to want all of my attention, but he has stiff competition, especially since I know that there is no relationship so pure, honest and exciting as being a grandmother and surrendering self to the future of a rising godly generation.

Lois Lane might have soared through the air in the arms of her human hero, but I’ve got the Lord and I fly in renewed heart soaring high with Jesus in His Spirit. And, after all is said and done -- I’m grandma and I‘m flying high on my precious gifts from God!
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This article has been read 641 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Dianne Janak 
04/10/08
Love the POV here and the MC voice. Fun, light, sentimental, loving, and genuine. You have captured grandmotherhood so well. Your family is fortunate to have a grandmom like you.. thanks for sharing. Good writing...
c clemons
04/11/08
Good writing, except I thought you were referring to your grandson as superman so the title doesn't quite make sense. Other than that good job.
Marilyn Schnepp 
04/12/08
Super Title for a mushy type story written by a "sane" grandmother who becomes a weakling at the sight of doe-eyed little ones. So cute, so well told, and an enjoyable romp through life from the eyes, ears and heart of a delightful grandmother.
Nicely done. Superman was no problem - It was Roy Rogers and Trigger that took second place... (*.*)!
Joshua Janoski
04/13/08
I loved the humorous and lighthearted feel to this. What a superstar grandmother you are, and how fortunate your grandchildren are to have you. I think it's very commendable that you want them to grow up serving God, and that you are doing everything in your power to see that happen.

I really enjoyed this. It made me smile. Thank you for sharing. :)
Glynis Becker
04/13/08
Being a grandmother must be so wonderful! Thanks for sharing your insights with those of us who have a few years to go until we get the privilege too :)
dub W
04/14/08
Loved the humor and the use of the 1st. person POV. Well done. Honestly, I read this one because of the title, I almost past it by, but you led me in and made me smile. Thanks.
Patty Wysong
04/14/08
I loved the humor sprinkled throughout this. It was very enjoyable and it said a lot too. Good job.