WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
Where has the year gone so far? Kids are back in school, and we are all wondering where our summer went. Maybe even some of us are already dreading the cold weather to come and the end of 2024. As I’m writing this, I am on the way to Chicago with three teenage grandsons for a week with Grandpa Mike too. Along with the same theme is the fact that I can’t believe how old they are already, or how big they are and how deep their voices are. Jackson turns 16 this week while we are gone, Quinten turns 14 while we are gone also, and Sam will be 14 in December. We are going to do some celebrating while we are gone, and they all have ideas about what they want to do there. We will try to do some of the things that each one is looking forward to.
I love my grandkids so much and they are just so special. Every grandparent out there believes the same thing. If my grandchild needs me, I am going to be there, and I will do whatever is needed to show them I love them and how special they are. I want my grandkids to be assured of the love and support that they need to grow up and have stability and security. They need to know how smart and gifted that they are, as well as that their feelings are important and acknowledged. I know that they all have fears and questions about how things will turn out in their private world. They all have different things that matter to them and that they want to be able to do now and in the future.
They have all had things to overcome already in their short years they have lived, and we as grandparents got the privilege of walking with them and praying for them. We have 13 grandchildren ranging from ages 25 to 18 months and there have been many different kinds of difficulties for them. Some of the issues have been physical things that they were born with, and some were more emotional and mental things. I have seen them deal very courageously with some of the hurts and struggles that they were dealt, by no decision of their own.
Life’s not fair, for anyone, at any age. We all have difficulties in life. Add social media and the pressure of the world now to what these kids are going through. Some of them still have fears and concerns since 2020 and how our world has changed since then. Kids of any age need strong support and unconditional love from their parents and grandparents to cope and to process their own traumas, as well as other healthy adults who care. We can stand with our kids and grandkids, as well as others, during their times of hurt and need. We are able to be someone who is in their corner, no matter what.
I love my kids so much and their kids are a double blessing it seems. I guess that it is like getting another opportunity to love your kids again – only with a purer love, a wiser heart, and a more discerning mind that comes with age and maturity. The biggest joy is seeing them bring such beautiful souls into the world that remind you of them. I’m hoping that I get to see the next generation also. Joy and more joy.
