Chocolate Covered Raisins

I am living in what is commonly called the sandwich generation. In my particular case, the sandwich is a triple decker club in that we still have young children living at home as well as older children who are having their own children along with aging parents. I recently became a grandmother so I'm very interested in what my new role is going to be. So far I've just been in awe of our beautiful granddaughter, but it's just been 2 weeks. What can I give my grandchildren that is different than what their parents can give them? I had the opportunity today to see what my role could be.

My mother-in-law is definitely having ups and downs with her health, more and more downs lately. But when she is feeling good, she enjoys giving our 3 youngest piano lessons. She used to be able to come to our house and give their lessons which was super convenient, but she recently suggested that I bring them to her house this week instead. While I know that this is great bonding time for them, it is at least a 3 hour proposition. I selfishly did not want to take the time but couldn't in good conscience refuse so off we went.

I predetermined that we would start with the youngest and go up from there and hope to be done before bedtime. I listened as she patiently listened to each one as they commented before and after every measure they played. She encouraged them throughout their lessons and praised each small accomplishment making them feel like piano virtuosos! While we were waiting on one, the other two played with the various geriatric contraptions they found like long handled pinchers to reach things, back scratchers, and the like. You never know what a child finds interesting and what he can do with it! My father-in-law who is a wood craftsman and the most generous man I know, gave them their very own back scratcher and wooden boxes that he had made along with chocolate covered raisins and any other edible treat he had on hand. I don't know who enjoyed the time more, my children or their grandparents.

I'm again amazed at God's patience with me, to open my eyes to see the blessing that a grandparent can be. Grandparents have the time or take the time to be encouraging while parents are prone to watch the clock. My mother used to say, "We have all the time in the world." to my older girls and she meant it. Taking the time to listen and make them feel special is a precious gift they give to my children. I hope that I can be that kind of grandparent. I guess I need to load up on chocolate covered raisins too!