Jolene and I are new to this grandparenting thing. We are only a few months in, but, so far, so good. In fact, it has been incredible. We had heard how wonderful the experience is from others who are grandparents, but, like most things in life, we didn’t fully understand it until we began to live it.
Our middle daughter, Samantha, got married a few years ago. She and her husband, Brady, then moved to Arizona. We missed them, and, thankfully, they missed us, too. As they began to talk about starting a family together, they came to the conclusion that they wanted to be close to family again and were moving back to the Des Moines area. That made us smile.
We were able to see Samantha through the pregnancy process, and we were at the hospital shortly after their son was born. Holding Callahan in my arms for the first time was amazing, and doing so each time since has been as well. No phone call or video call could ever replace that.
I am greatly looking forward to the years ahead, too. Walking. Talking. Birthday parties. Ball games. And whatever he chooses to be involved in. But what I look forward to the most is the time we can spend together, just the two of us. Playing games at the kitchen table. Working on a project together in the garage. Going on boat rides. And just talking about whatever he wants to talk about.
My grandparents had all died by the time I was 5 years old, but I have a few wonderful memories of my Grandpa Lane. I can still envision him. In bib overalls. Sitting in his recliner. Looking at me and thinking how he could make me laugh.
He would ask me if I wanted to see a monkey, and, of course, I always did. So I would jump up on his lap, and he would pull out his pocket watch and turn the shiny side over so I could see my reflection. And we both would giggle. I fell for that one repeatedly.
He also had dentures and would look out of the corner of his eyes to see the amazement on my face when I watched him take them out. He would tell me I could do it, too, if I tried harder. And then he would chuckle while watching me, his youngest grandchild, yank feverishly on my own teeth.
I was fortunate to be able to spend time with my grandpa, albeit not as much as I would have liked. I loved him dearly, and I want to do all I can to be sure my grandson and my future grandchildren will have those same opportunities with me.
This month, we share the stories of grandparents who have close relationships with their grandchildren and are able to create these types of cherished memories — and maybe see a few monkeys, too.
Thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Lake Panorama Times
641-332-2707
shane@gctimesnews.com