The blessing of being a grandfather

@DanaMark (807)
United States
June 6, 2007 4:12pm CST
Would you like to share the blessings of being a grandfather? I felt blessed when I first held my son, then double-blessed when I first held my two grandsons. How about you? What are some of the other blessings of grandfathering you have experienced?
2 people like this
10 responses
• United States
3 Jul 07
Great topic! I became a grandfather 5 years ago, when our only child gave birth to Noah William. Since then we now have another grandson to add to the family! Both boys spend several days with us each week and keep us busy. It is a pleasure to watch Noah growing up and to be a positive influence in his life. The new one Lucca is only 4 months old and his older brother is adapting quickly. My grandsons have given me the opportunity to be the person I wasn't when their mother was growing up. They teach me as much as I teach them! I appreciate all the parents in their mid 40's with children still at home. I'm only 45 and these boys wear me out! But in a good way. God Bless the little children of the world as they are our future! Have a safe holiday to all! billisredeemed
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Congratulations on your two grandsons. It sounds like you enjoy them a lot. They must live close by so you can see them often. That's great. I feel sorry for grandparents whose grandchildren are so far away they only get to see them once a year or so. I like it that you want to be a positive influence in your grandchildren's lives. How fortunate we are to be able to help shape them into what they are meant to be.
@rdougl (469)
• United States
3 Jul 07
I only have two little ones right now, but look forward to becoming a grandfather. I know my dad is a proud grandfather. He loves his grandkids. We live in another state so I try to bring them around as much as possible. I only knew one of my grandfathers. He did the classic stuff like tell jokes, ole timer stories, give me candy and money. Really miss those days. I amagine if he was still here he would tell me a joke, and give me a quarter.
1 person likes this
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
3 Jul 07
It sounds like you have some good memories. And I'm sure you will make some of your own good memories with your children and grandchildren.
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
14 Jun 07
Welcome to Mylot. I am a Grandmother if 12. and I am soon to be a great-grand Ma, I am not happy about that? the kids are to young.
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
16 Jun 07
Grandmother of 12! WOW! You must have a houseful if they are every there at the same time. I'm sure being a great-grandma will be wonderful. Too bad the kids are too young. Hopefully everything will go well for them. I hope you can enjoy them all!
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I am blessed of being a grandmother of 10 grandchildren.Four girls and 6 boys. From age 18 years to a 3 month old baby boy.
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
27 Jun 07
Most of my grandkids all live close by,except for my daughter she lives 4 hours from me she has two boys, a 3 year old, and a 3 month baby boy.So I dont get to see them to often. And now the sad news is that my other daughter is moving also next week ,same place where my other daughter lives a long 4 hour drive.I just hate to see them go. but her job takes her there. She has 2 girls ,a 17 year old and a 11 year old.The rest od my grandkids all live in the same town as me.
1 person likes this
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
27 Jun 07
And you know what babystar, It really weighs heavy on my heart when one of my kids, has to move away, but at least your daughter is moving where your other daughter is living, and that would comfort me, just a well!
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Wow. 10 grandchildren. That must keep you busy. I hope they are close enough that you get to see them often.
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Oh,my children are the greatest gift from heaven above, that has ever been bestowed upon me, but my grandchildren are above all the most wonderful gifts of life, that I have ever experienced! My whole life is centered around these beautiful little babies! And not only that, I have noticed that my love for babies, and children has spread to all the ones that I meet or see, not only my own! And it's just a wonderful experience watching, and helping them grow and learn, year after year, I love it!
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Oh my two sons had three each, and my daughter had a set of twins, and they all keep me busy, there is not a dull moment, especially around t;he holidays!!
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I bet not. Your grandchildren sound like a great joy to you, and I'm sure the holidays are as well. Continue to help them grow and learn. What an opportunity!
1 person likes this
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
22 Jun 07
I would say I notice other children more now as well. I especially enjoy seeing other grandparents with their grandchildren when they are attentive and enjoying the time together. I'm glad to hear you have these gifts from heaven to enjoy in your life. My grandsons are 4 and 2 and live within 10 minutes of me. How about yours?
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jul 07
I have four grandsons aged 13, 11 , 9 and 5 and they are my world. Nothing gives me greater pleasure then to spend time teaching them things like how to cast a fishing pole and to pitch a tent. To be quite honest it is they who have taught me the most important things and that is how to be a better person.
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
3 Jul 07
It sounds like you are teaching your grandchildren some of things my grandfather taught me. Those will be good memories for them and for you. Our grandchildren have a lot to teach us too. I'm glad you are enjoying them.
• India
15 Feb 08
Well at 35 I am too young for it but I can understand what people in similar conditions feel. Being an only child of my parents, I had gone to my mother's place post delivery of my child. I stayed there for 2 months and during those times, my dad had become very attached to my son. He would always hover around (to be point of embarassing me), enquire after his needs, buy things unnecessarily, toys and diapers and stuff and when the time came for me to leave with my child for my husband's home, i could actually see tears in my Dad's eyes. my Dad, whom i have never seen crying, not even when his only child was leaving home after marriage. But there is a saying amongst us indians ...the interest is always sweeter than the principle amount.
6 Jun 07
Well I'm only twenty but I can't wait to be a grandfather. My grandfather was both great people, one I saw all the time until he passed away and I hope to be more like him as he was more than a grandfather to me. (my best friend) When my son has kid, I'll be over like a shot and unlike others if he decided to have them young (like myself) I wouldn't care about being a young grandfather. Kudos! (It's always nice seeing strong family values) ~Joey
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
7 Jun 07
I'm happy you are looking forward to being a grandfather. I know some grandparents who are not close to their grandchildren at all. That is sad. If a grandparent shows genuine love toward a grandchild, there is nothing like the love a grandchild shows in return. It melts my heart every time my 4-year-old grandson comes running up shouting "Grandpa Dana" and gives me a big hug. Now the 2-year-old is starting that too. There's nothing like it!
@murciaman (441)
7 Jun 07
I am a recent grandfather and have mixed feeelings about it really...number one i cant believe im looking at 3 generations when my daughter is here next to mum with her baby... two it is a reminder that there are more years behing me (productive lol) than in front of me...three.. an instant recognition of mortality ( a bit morbid but thats the way i feel)of course im delighted with my granddaughter and i must admit when im nursing her (which is a lot) i sometimes mistakenly say Daddy when im conversing with her in baby talk and have to stop myself...wishful thinking maybe ...or the onset of Alzeimers lol who knows.. Still it is great to be able to have a baby in the house again and watch her grow and develop....looking forward to it all.. 9 weeks old now and plenty of smiles and chuckles are coming my way .. which is what it is all about...!!
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
7 Jun 07
I can understand the "more years behind me" and the "recognition of mortality". I didn't want to be a grandfather yet (denial about my age?? LOL). But when I held that precious little boy in my arms, that all changed. Now when I hear the excited "Grandpa Dana!" when he sees me, I am so happy to be a grandfather. Having recently retired, I am now really working on the "more years behind me" factor, but that's another issue. LOL. I hope you continue to enjoy being a grandparent. It has so many great benefits.
@hdavis2 (30)
1 Nov 07
I became a grandfather while waiting for a liver transplant. I first saw my grandson on the day I received my new liver. I hoped I would live to see him grow up. Now he is six years old and in first grade. My wife and I babysit him while my daughter works. I help him with his homework, teach him how to use the computer, and now he is a computer whizz. I get so much joy working with him. He reads anything you put in front of him, and is very good in math.