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Grandmas and grandpas...opportunity knocks! Ideas during COVID
They say you have never loved so unconditionally as when that first grandchild arrives. Your capacity for forgiveness increases, you let go of your critical and judgmental side and you laugh joyously and frequently.
And now???? Now you have an opportunity to spend more quality time with your "grands" as they are called. You may have to learn how to be part of a group going live on Instagram. I barged in on my granddaughter and her friends one day when I figured it out. Oops...not the right time. She just looked at the screen and when someone asked, "What's the matter?" her mouth dropped, and she just said, "It's my grandmother." Everyone immediately disappeared. Ha ha ha ha.......!
So while we are isolated let's take advantage of an opportunity to spend more time playing with, talking with, singing with, messaging, facetiming. Let's use the technology that's available to us. Set up a schedule, or a show and tell, or a teaching session. Let's present some options for every age.
Take some photos to share and don't forget to look at the post downstream about killing two birds with one stone. I am using just initials and no names. That is your choice. Please do not use identifying names, phone numbers, emails, or locations.
Ready.....set......go gramps.......this was the first time he got to take a walk in the forest with his new grandson. Biggest smile I have ever seen on that loving face,
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Fantastic.....@sueinmn, Thanks for sharing. I know how involved you are with your grandchildren. And in addition, you do so much for others. Of course, you run out of time.......no complaints from you about not enough to do. Thank goodness your garden has probably been put to bed. And I am so happy to see your hands free of bandages and braces. I hope all is going well.
Here is one for you. Jay created a special path up to the top of Adam's mound. Then he went around and sliced some moss off the river banks....put it carefully into Stanley, our side by side, and laid it like icing all the way up the path. Now, since we are into moss....we can't find enough of it. Decisions must be made.....do you want moss on the path, moss surrounding the bridge over the back stream? What spot gets the moss? We love it near and along the river in the winter but then in the summer everyone rides around and tears it up. Chuckling aren't you?
May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris
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3 ReactionsAdorable all and the Very Best is that you could be together to celebrate.
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2 ReactionsWe found the most awesome moss up on the Iron Range this fall. It looks like balsam branches and creeps along the ground on the path in the woods. Thought you might enjoy the description. Now I have to see if I can look it up.
Joyfully enjoying Indian summer.
Sue
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1 ReactionJay says thanks. Near Hibbing????? We’ll wait till May? June?’
Chris
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1 ReactionBiwabik. Actually up on the Laurentian Divide between Biwabik & Tower. Yes -around 4th of July it should be visible.
Sue
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1 ReactionI will correct his location. Hmmmmm 37 years in St. Cloud. I thought it had it all mapped. I will see if we can get Hibbing to wake up.
Be safe and protect my friend. Today is your day.
Chris
I'm excited - I found the moss I was referring to - Lycopodium clavatum. Not surprisingly, I first thought it was the plant we have always called Princess Pine, another Lycopodium. Here is an article about them: https://blog.visitcranelake.com/clubmoss/
On the Grandparent topic, the stiff version of this plant was "fruiting" when we were hiking there at the beginning of October, and our littlest guy, not yet 2, was excitedly running through the patch, creating a white cloud of spores and laughing. The older one was excited that he got to sit on the "pillow moss" on the rocks this year - it's usually too wet. This makes me wonder if we can find a place in our gardens to create a moss bed next summer - it will be tough because we're on a sand plain, but maybe...gives me something to explore this winter.
Have a peace filled day.
Sue
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1 ReactionGotta share this we Jay.....thanks.
Here's a holiday tip - from my nephew, who at 49 is a grandfather of 4.
He had a very tumultuous early life, and my parents home was his sanctuary, with his own "stuff" there - which had to stay because his parents moved often & got rid of everything just about every time they relocated. One of his prized possessions was a small yellow Teddy named "Spare Bear." When his family moved out of state Spare Bear stayed behind to be loved by all his younger cousins, and finally went to assisted living with my Mom to remind her of her firstborn grandchild.
When Grammy died, I passed Spare Bear to his original owner, a struggling Dad of 4. Today he sent me a message that Spare Bear is now with his oldest granddaughter, aged 3, who is having a tough time accepting a new sibling. He thanked me for the memories, and for making sure he got his beloved bear.
So, if you have kids or grands struggling in these hard times, look around and see if there is an old favorite toy, blanket, quilt or afghan they might like as a memento. And maybe write a note about those times in the past to go with it.
Sue
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5 Reactions@sueinmn. What a wonderful post. I have kept all my children's favorite toys, even after many moves. My son is 38 and he couldn't believe I still have his stuffed dog Fleagle. It's his son's now. I still have his boxes of Legos and Lincoln log and a couple of his favorite books. It brings back great memories not only for him but for me too.