From mom to grandmother

   When I had my first child, I knew what true, unconditional love was. To look down on that tiny perfect little boy who depended on me for everything. Over the years, as I had my other children, that love just grew and grew. I couldn't see any possible way for that love to ever grow any stronger. That was before I held my first grandchild. Grandchildren truly are the greatest blessing in the world. The love you feel for your grandchild is a totally new experience unlike anything else in this world. The first grandchild I got to spend any significant time with was my daughter's son and he has taught me a lot. He teaches me new things constantly lol. He has taught me that it's okay to slow down in life and just enjoy what is happening in the moment. He has taught me that it's okay to play and act goofy sometimes. He teaches me new ways to sing old songs (because it's okay to mix the words up however we want them) and new ways to count. I wish that I had slowed down and taken the time with my own children. We have a pretty good relationship but it could have been so much better. Maybe it takes the distance of age to help us learn to slow down and appreciate what every day brings us. Now I have a wonderful time anytime any of the grandchildren are here ( just as long as it's not all of them at once lol) we laugh and play the whole time. We enjoy reading stories to each other and building with blocks. I couldn't imagine ever not having grandchildren now. I am enjoying their delight when they see or learn something new. It helps you to gain perspective when you view the world through the eyes of a child. They appreciate the truly important things like love, family and toys, of course. I have 7 wonderful grandchildren and I wouldn't trade them for the world. There is nothing like the feel of your grandchild's arms around your neck. It's funny, even when they aren't here, I find myself wondering what they would think of this or that and imagining their reaction to things that happen. I used to laugh at all the older people pulling out pictures of their grandkids, but guess what? I am really bad about it and I don't want to show you 1 or 2, I want you to look at the whole stack from the time they were newborns lol. I have learned that it's way more important for them to have flowers to pick than for me to grow them. I have learned that I even like flowers that have all the petals gone because my grandson thought they were pretty so he kept the petals and gave me the stems lol. Grandkids are a constant source of delight and wonder so slow down and take time to talk to kids and listen to what they have to say and learn all the new tricks they can show you.