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. |
| 6 - A LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER REACHES OUT ACROSS THREE GENERATIONS | Published: 16/01/08 |
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Part 6 - Days in the life of a grandpa -
A little granddaughter reaches out across three generations.... -
Last Thursday was Amanda's turn for a walk with Grandpa.
I picked her up at my son's house at around 2:30 that afternoon.
We had a couple of errands to run in town first. Something to
drop off at the Salvation Army Thrift Store at Grandma's request
(a donation).
Then off to the bank machine to make a deposit. The ATM bank
machine is in the lobby of this bank. Just inside the main
doors to the bank itself is suspended a video screen showing
the camera monitor view of customers entering the bank.
Amanda and I like to play a game when we visit this bank together.
So this day, like usual I say to her, "Shall we look at the
little TV up there and see if we see that nice grandpa and that
pretty little girl who look just like us? They always seem to be
here when we are!"
She remembers, and grins. "Sure, Grandpa!" She understands it's
just a video camera filming and showing us, but it's sure a fun
game.
We point out things to each other. "Look - the grandpa has a
yellow pen in his pocket just like me!"
"And the little girl has a top on just like mine!"
We wave good-bye to the nice grandpa and the pretty little girl,
and tell them we'll see them next time.
They wave back.
Then we carry on to the private hospital where my elderly mother
lives. She has Alzheimer's disease, and I am not sure if she
even knows me now. But I think she does.
She usually smiles when she sees a child with me, even though she
has no idea who they are (I explain who the grandchild is that
week, but I don't think she can understand). I am glad she still
is stirred to a smile, just seeing a child with me.
And each of the grandchildren knows they are going to see
"Great-Grandma" and looks forward to it.
Amanda enjoys pushing the buttons that give us access to the
different sections of the facility where Mom lives. She started
off just pushing the big green buttons, and I would enter the
3-digit number codes for the more complex number pad locks.
Now she is getting older and wiser, and enjoys entering the numbers
herself to unlock the doors, if I will just tell her the numbers.
Most of the grandchildren are a bit shy when we find Mom and I pull
up a chair to sit beside her for a short visit. All the younger
grandchildren sit on my knee.
Amanda is special. She - the most - actually tries to talk to
Great-Grandma, and follows my lead in telling her a little about
what we are doing that day. Mom can't answer any more, but she
listens. And Amanda chats, and sometimes puts her little hand on
Great-Grandma's arm like I do.
I am touched by her gentle and caring spirit, with all six years of
life and maturity....
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