This week my twelve-year-old granddaughter received horrible news. For the second time in a matter of weeks a grandfather has died.
His paternal grandfather had heart surgery about a year ago, but he seemed to have recovered quite well. So everyone was shocked when he passed away a few weeks ago. Mikaeli had several opportunities to be with him in her life and got to know him quite well. Because she is so interested in genealogy, she was glad when several old photographs were found in her comments and we have plans to upload them to the family tree together.
This month, Mikaeli went to Saskatoon to spend a week with her maternal grandparents as part of her summer vacation. She has only been home for a few days from that adventure. Today we received the news that your grandfather drowned during a fishing trip.
Two grandparents disappeared within weeks of each other!
All of this has reminded me of the importance of grandparents in a child’s life. My four grandparents had a powerful influence on me. My two grandmothers taught me how to knit and shared skills that I still use in my kitchen. My paternal grandfather was a wonderful example of strength, as he had immigrated to Canada alone at the age of eleven and had built his life on hope and faith. My paternal grandfather was “jovial” and a musician. He traveled with other members of the band to nearby towns by train to play dances. Your values and examples have helped shape my life!
All grandparents have strengths and experiences to share with their descendants, but personal contact is not always easy due to distance. My grandparents lived near us, but five of my seven grandchildren are far from me. I had to learn to communicate through text messages rather than in person or on the phone. Most of the trips for face-to-face meetings are left for me to do because everyone is always so busy.
But every opportunity to interact with my grandchildren is a wonderful gift! It could mean sharing a conversation like a walk when they are on the way to pick something up. Sometimes it means sending a link to something that they have told me that they are interested in. Maybe buying a plane ticket or filling up the tank and driving home is the best option. Bowling (having not done it since 1969) is a way of connecting and laughing together. Or upload old photos to the family tree!
Today my eighteen-year-old grandson was texting me about his new cement job at Kindersley that has taken him away from home for a fifteen-day shift in a row. I learned what a hell cat is (the Dodge Challenger car) and the fact that this is its goal!
Another grandson just sent a “Who is it?” I guess I sent you the wrong message. Oh well, grandparents make mistakes too!
It’s easy to say “I’ll have to do that.” Maybe you can’t. Remember: life is short!
Time to get in touch with someone you care about today!
