Thinking About the Grands After They Leave

Mom, Grandma Clark, Grandma Great...

My mother was a saint. She had 14 grandchildren under the age of about 7. There were six siblings and for several years the grandchildren came in waves. When we all got together it was chaotic and overwhelming. She handled it like a champ. 

She was thinking about the grands after they leave

Mom would often tell me that she was thinking about the grands after they left. One thing that mom, Grandma Clark, got a kick out of was the little things around the house that she would find in the days after the kid’s visit. 

Discoveries around the house

Those were the days before texting and photos on the phone, so she would call and tell me her little discoveries. Often it was a toy in the piano bench or on the bookshelf. Once it was little plastic discs shot from little guns. An ornery uncle may or may not have given those to each of the kids before he had kids of his own!

My turn to be thinking of the grands after they leave

Well, now it is my turn to find little items around the house after the kids visit. It is my turn to be thinking of the grands after they leave. 

My emotions swing from laughter to tears as I ponder our time together, how much I enjoyed them and how much I miss them when they are gone. Of course Covid has magnified this greatly.

What's that?

These pictures show little objects we've found in the house that were left behind by the grands. But there were also things outside as well. Last time there was a tee-pee made of sticks in the back yard and fishing poles set against the wall in the garage.

Sigh...

Sigh. What is it inside that I feel?

I have a strong desire to be a positive influence in the lives of my grands. Don’t you? In a world of uncertainty, I hope that they know they are deeply loved by Nana and Papa.

A gift we can give to the littles or the youngsters in our lives is to see them as unique and special. To encourage them to discover who they are and to know they have a purpose in this world that only they can fulfill. 

Of course this Nana loves to fan the flames of curiosity and creativity and to help provide activities and crafts that help you to do the same.

What a privilege it is to be a parent and then a Nana.

So, I’m thinking about the grands after they leave.

What are you thinking? What are your desires for your kids and grands?