Days in the life of a grandpa
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Publisher: Vision 14 Enterprises Gadget Name: Days in the life of a grandpa About This Gadget:  
We offer stories that will touch your heart and refresh your day with smiles, warm memories, an occasional tear - and a reminder of the power of love He Ended Up In the Next Hospital Bed
An Advanced Life Support Paramedic unit rushed the seriously injured driver of the van to the nearest trauma hospital. A few hours later, one of the two paramedics that had worked to save the man's life was lying in the next bed in the trauma unit - badly injured himself. Off shift and on his way home, the paramedic's car was hit head-on by a driver who suddenly made an illegal left-hand turn into his path. He was rushed to the same hospital by his own paramedic unit. His injuries included a head injury that kept him from being able to return to his job. What then? Suddenly life changed. Gone was the excitement of a challenging career on the front-lines of emergency medical response. Here daily were on-going headaches and dizziness, with some memory loss. He was unable to function in the crowded or noisy environments that he had thrived in before. What would fill the void in his life? Who are we talking about?
In the years after the accident, our three married sons and one married daughter began to expand their families. I decided to deepen my relationship with my growing family of grandchildren. Right now there are 11. I still find it hard sometimes to be around a busy family gathering. Even with the children usually well-behaved, even the noise of multiple conversations can be overwhelming. I can find it hard to focus on the conversation I am trying to have with ONE family member. I try to enjoy these family times when we are all together. But sometimes it's hard. What I HAVE found is that I can enjoy one-on-one time with each grandchild. My aim is to take one grandchild out each week for "a walk with grandpa". We go for a walk to a special park by a river, then go for ice-cream or a snack. The closeness that has grown between me and each grandchild is something special. The times we enjoy together are fun, entertaining, and sometimes hilarious. There is a special bond of love between this grandpa and each of them. My wife and I also enjoy looking after different ones together to give our married kids a break. They appreciate being able to escape for an occasional evening out, knowing their children are safe and happy with Grandpa and Grandma.
The fun times. The activities. The challenges. My thoughts on what it means. I have decided to call these stories "Days in the Life of a Grandpa". I invite you to subscribe to my elert gadget that will send you free samples of these stories direct to your desktop. What is it all about? Believing that a grandpa can make a difference in the life of his grandchildren. That grandchildren can fill a life with meaning and joy. And that together a grandpa and his grandchildren can share adventures and special times that will leave memories of joy and love imprinted in their minds as an anchor for all times. |
| 1 - THE ANIMALS THAT GROW FROM SPONGES | Published: 16/01/08 |
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PART 1 - Days in the life of a grandpa -
The Animals that Grow From Sponges -
I find one of life's greatest joys is to be able to spend time with
our 11 grandchildren.
Usually it is here and there - maybe once a week or so seeing a
"set" of grandchildren from one of our four families of grown-up
and married children of our own, who all live in the local area.
I look back over the calendar from last month, and I see usual
baby-sitting times - we had Vicky (almost 2) for four hours around
the middle of last month while our daughter-in-law Jessa was at the
kindergarten on a "parents' helping day" with their son Joseph.
Then about a week later we had Joseph and Vicky from 4:00 until
around 9:00 in the evening, while Ray (our oldest son) and his wife
Jessa went to a year-end staff function for the teachers at the
school where Ray teaches.
The following Monday our middle son Daren and his wife Jenna were
going out, and they had arranged a week or two ahead for us to look
after their three girls.
Amanda (6), Christie (3), and Evie (7 months) were dropped off here
around 6:30.
When we were getting Amanda and Christie ready for bed, I noticed
the dirty feet. They had enjoyed jumping on the trampoline outside
in the yard, and now their feet showed it. Black.
Beth thought it was getting too late for the girls to have a bath,
so I decided to just wash their feet. First I got them to sit on
the kitchen counter while I ran warm water in each of the double
sinks. I explained to them that I had a special surprise for
them. I showed them the package - it looked like rows of
specially-colored capsules (like vitamins) - only these contained
tiny sponges that would grow and expand and pop into the shape of
a little animal when the hot water melted the gelatin capsule.
We looked at the pictures of different animals on the back of the
package, and they tried to guess what theirs would turn out to be.
Then I let them pick their capsule and drop it into the water. The
little capsules soaked along with their dirty feet, and in a few
minutes the capsules melted and a tiny sponge animal took shape.
While Grandma looked after the baby, I let the two older girls use
"Grandpa's special toothpaste" (a natural toothpaste from the
Health-Food Store with a delicious orange and mint flavor). They
always ask if they can use mine when they are here at bedtime.
They stand up on the little stool in the bathroom and lean over the
sink while I brush their teeth for them. "First the inside of the
bottoms; now the outside of the bottoms; next is the inside of the
tops; now the outsides of the tops...."
Grandma usually "tucks in" Christie when the girls are going
to bed here. I tuck in Amanda. Christie goes to sleep in
the guest bed in Grandma's den. Amanda goes to bed in Grandpa
and Grandma's bed.
"Tucking in" involves reading two story books, praying, a hug
and kiss good-night, then some soft music on.
Amanda was "lonely for Mommy and Daddy that night" - very
unusual. When I have tucked her in for the night, I usually
stay in the room and read some emails on my computer.
That helps her settle, if she's still awake, having me
still there in the room.
I had gone out to the living room to talk to Beth, when I heard
crying coming from our bedroom. I hurried down the hall and found
Amanda in tears. She was just missing Mommy and Daddy so much.
She said that sometimes if she can't get to sleep at home, they let
her come out to the living room and lie quietly out there. So I
let her come out and curl up in my arms for a while in the big
chair. Then Grandma held her, and finally she settled and fell
asleep back in our bed until Daren and Jenna came to pick up all
three girls later that evening.
I went to sleep that night feeling loved, needed, and appreciated.
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