Days in the life of a grandpa
|
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. |
| 2 - BIRTHDAYS IN JUNE | Published: 16/01/08 |
 Positive ( 0 )
 Negative ( 0 )
|
|
PART 2 - Days in the life of a grandpa -
Birthdays in June -
The next day was our family birthday party for the June birthdays.
As our four married kids have started to have children and our "big
family" has gradually grown, we have had to adjust our birthday
celebrations. We used to all get together to celebrate each
person's birthday, but now with five couples (counting Beth and me)
and eleven grandchildren, we gather once a month to celebrate any
birthdays for that month together. There are four in June (one of
the best and most heavily-populated months in our family tree!)
Beth had arranged one of her "Grandma's tea parties" to coincide
with the June birthday celebration. Because Beth's was one of the
June birthdays, Daren and Jenna had the party at their house
instead of here at our house where the parties usually are.
We had wonderful hours of games and music and pictures and gifts
and cards and cake, and a huge amazing barbequed roast of pork
that Daren did on their barbeque for us all.
Yesterday I finally downloaded my camera, a couple of weeks later,
and put the 116 pictures into a slideshow that I can share with
each of our four families. Beth and I enjoyed watching it last
night.
Friday of that same week we had Matthew (18 months) for some of
the afternoon and the evening. Our daughter Mandy lives
next-door in the other side of the duplex, with her husband Don
and their three boys. Ezra is 12, and Jacob is 11. Matthew is
just half-way between his first and second birthdays. He is a
strong, determined little guy.
That had been arranged for a while. But more last minute, Daren
& Jenna had something on, and we ended up having the three girls
here again too.
Around bedtime Beth took Evie (seven months) with her next-door to
put Matthew to bed at his house. It helps when one of your four
children and her family live right next-door in the other side of
a duplex!
I got Amanda (6) and Christie (3) ready for bed again, just like
the previous Monday. Only this time I tucked them both into bed
in our room. We leaned back against the headboard and enjoyed
two stories, prayer, and singing them each their "special song
that Grandpa made up for you just because I love you". Then I
put on a tape of special music that we all enjoy....
What a precious few moments, to relax with two little
granddaughters snuggled up beside you, one on each side, happy
and content while they take in a story Grandpa is reading to
them....
This time Amanda as well as Christie went to sleep easily and
peacefully, with no overwhelming loneliness or missing Mommy
and Daddy too much.
That was on the Friday night.
It was two days later that things started really getting busy.
----------------
DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS STORY?
PASS IT ON!
Just read the notice below carefully first!
Copyright from 2007, Days-in-the-life-of-a-grandpa.com
All rights reserved
Permission to share or pass on this story, by email or photocopying
or reprinting in any way, is hereby granted PROVIDED that you
reproduce the story IN ITS ENTIRETY - along with this notice and
the web link so that any reader who wishes may sign up for
themselves to receive these stories from "Days in the life of a
grandpa" -
There are no comments for this elert. Be the first to comment.
