Becoming a grandmother is another right of passage on the road of life. It requires adjusting to a new set of rules; it means accepting that one is older. As long as a woman has children in school, she can consider herself a mother and therefore believe herself still young. Since our culture tends to portray grandmothers as blue-haired, fuller of figure, wearers of substantial shoes, to note a few of many clichés, it makes for many a much harder right of passage than for others. They refuse to be called Grandma in any of its forms, present themselves as 'too young to be a grandparent', study themselves more critically in the mirror looking for tell-tale signs of aging, visit cosmetic surgeons, ad infinitum.
Others move seamlessly from the role of mother to that of grandmother. They relish the many advantages: Fewer direct responsibilities (unless by circumstance they become primary care givers); more time to play with their grandchildren than they often had with their children; can allow them more freedom to be themselves than they might have their own; feed them lots of goodies and then send the kiddies home when the shine wears off their visit.
Cindy is one of the latter. She has looked forward to the coming of each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spends hours doing things with them and being entertained by them. She is firm when needed, never harsh. She does not offer their parents unsolicited advise about child-rearing, does not consider it her place even if sometimes she has to bite her tongue until it bleeds to avoid doing so.
I am convinced that her grandchildren keep her young in spirit, and therefore youthful in appearence. I firmly believe that they will cherish the memories of time spent with her, and the gifts of her love and unconditional acceptance.
Look for me on FaceBook and visit my website at www.bfoswaldauthor.com
Thanks You, Sweetheart.
ReplyDelete