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. |
| 9 - TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH A POLICE OFFICER | Published: 16/01/08 |
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Part 9 - Days in the life of a grandpa -
Trying to keep up with a police officer -
The next day (Friday) I had fun in the morning. For a few weeks I
had been teasing Mark about getting out-of-shape from the
tremendous level of physical fitness he was forced to attain in his
six months of police training. I had "challenged" him to try a few
new exercise regimes I had been using.
Friday morning finally worked out. I went over to their house, and
he AND Serena and I worked out together in their living room.
Henry and Isaiah played with toys on the chesterfield and watched
us. Abigail sat in her high chair and made faces as she tried to
figure out why her Daddy and Mommy and Grandpa were dancing
and prancing and jumping and hopping around in front of her,
puffing and panting and doing all kinds of silly push-ups, sit-ups,
and other strange exercises with names like "8 count body builders"
and "air bike crunches" and "mountain climbers".
It was so much fun to exercise with my son and daughter-in-law, and
I felt so thankful to be blessed with enough health that at the age
of 59, even after a serious accident, I can run and jump and do
exercises with my kids and carry my grandchildren in my arms or on
my shoulders....
Friday night I went to the football game I had been looking forward
to all week. Our local team won with a resounding victory. Beth
isn't a football fan, so I usually go alone. I don't mind the
solitude at all.
Beth ended up doing - guess what! Babysitting again. Ray and
Jessa had a supper at the home of one of Ray's instructors in the
summer school course he is taking. Jessa wouldn't have been able
to go, but Beth was willing to go over to their house for the
evening and put Joseph and Vicky to bed there. Then she relaxed
and watched a few of her favorite cooking shows on TV there.
Saturday night was one more babysitting "assignment" we had
agreed to. Mark and Serena had asked us a week or so before if
we could look after the children while they went to a supper at
Serena's sister's house, with friends.
So once again we saw Henry, Isaiah, and Abigail over supper and
the first part of the evening. Mark was on day shift the next day,
so they were back in good time to pick up the children and get home
to bed.
About 12 hours later we repeated the pattern of the previous Sunday
- driving both cars to pick up Serena and the children. Me and the
boys getting to church first and reserving our row. Saving room
for Mommy and Grandma and Abigail. Settling the boys. Getting to
unbuckle Abigail from her baby carry-seat and see her grin as I
picked her up.
Cuddles and snuggles and then a little stroll around the back of
the church when she started to get restless and fuss.
Time to sing "your special song that Grandpa made up just for you,
just because I love you so much...."
And so the day and weeks pass by - not all as hectic and busy as
this past week or two, but full of life and joy even amidst the
hectic bustle that once in a while almost overwhelms me.
So many families live so far apart. Grandparents who long to hold
their grandchildren in their arms more often. Grandchildren who
long for their grandparents' hugs. And grown-up sons and daughters
who wish their parents were just a little closer to lend an
occasional hand or give them an occasional break with an evening
out, knowing their children are with the best and safest
babysitters- their own grandparents!
Truly I am a blessed grandpa.
And these are but a sample of DAYS IN THE LIFE OF A GRANDPA....
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