1 week Ago
I’m a Grampa!! I posted this on my Facebook page along with pictures and received a tremendous amount of comments and likes. Kurt Lorence, of Grand Island, enjoys being a new grandfather. I’ve posted many times before, but have never received nearly as many responses.
They came from the young and old, relatives and friends, and from people I barely knew. Maybe it was the happiness on our faces from the pictures I included holding our grandchild or everybody just loves babies. I think maybe a little of both.
This is the first grandchild for both sets of grandparents and we are so lucky to have such great relationships with everyone involved. Our daughter, now in her 30s, has known her husband since eighth grade. She is an only child and we consider her husband as “the son we never had.
” His parents have two wonderful sons and have always treated my daughter the same way. We’ve gone on many vacations together and always enjoy each other’s company. I was always told by friends that being a grandparent was so special and lots of fun.
You have all the joys of being a parent but without most of the pressures and responsibilities. One friend always jokes, “I like to take them out and get them all excited and when they get fussy, bring them back home.” But over the last nine months, as I have contemplated becoming a grampa, I have noticed grandparents out and about with their grandchildren.
They always seemed extremely relaxed and happy, probably bringing back memories of doing the same things with their children, but without the worries of work and bills and insecurities of trying to be the best possible parents. They now had the time to slow down and enjoy every moment, instead of trying to cram everything in and rushing because you want to make sure you don’t miss anything. I remember those days and am looking forward to experiencing this joy.
Luckily they live close by, having moved back here from out of town, to start their family. We’re anticipating doing all the activities we did with our daughter over 25 years ago now with our new granddaughter: Easter egg hunts in the backyard, taking her to the zoo, having her sit on Santa’s lap at Kelly’s Country Store. Then when she gets older, providing her with experiences she will remember long after we are gone.
You see, I had a good lesson in this from my own grandparents. My mother was an only child. Her parents had her when they were in their early 20s.
I am the oldest and my parents were the same age when I was born. My gramma and grampa loved to travel. When I was 10 they took me on my first plane ride.
We went to New York City and saw the Rockettes. I was in awe! My first flight, the big city, a fantastic show — I still remember it like it was yesterday. We also went on some great road trips to places I still have never been back to.
We went on a vacation to Nova Scotia. We went and saw the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. They also took me to nice restaurants and instilled in me the enjoyment of fine dining.
I can still remember when the wait staff tried to give me the kid’s menu my grandmother would say, “No, he eats off the adult menu.” I hope we can provide our granddaughter with fond memories like these. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!.
