Today, my grandson turns seven.
A month after I turned seven, I started second grade at Los Cerritos Elementary School in Tustin, California. My teacher was Ms. Spivey. I loved school, soaking it all up like a sponge. The world was full of possibility and wonder.
Now, I get to watch another seven-year-old discover the world. Being a grandparent is pure joy. I guess that’s why they call it “grand.” It's a chance to experience the wonder of childhood all over again, only this time without feeling like you have to get everything right.
When I was raising my own kids, I tried so hard. I wanted them to have every experience I thought would help them grow. I didn’t want them to miss out on anything.
The thing is, when we’re raising kids, we don’t have it all figured out. We are young ourselves, making it up as we go along—trying to make ends meet, get them to practices and meetings, help them with science fair projects and 4-H record books.
Sometimes I wonder if I could have relaxed a little more.
My mom wasn't much different. She always found a way to scrape together the money so we could do all the things our friends were doing—skiing, band, 4-H, cheerleading, and whatever else caught our imagination.
I’ve come to understand that every season of parenting has its own gifts. I loved being a mom, and now getting to be a grandparent feels like a reward. The best part is that I get to simply enjoy my grandchildren, while their parents are in the trenches doing all the hard work daily life requires—keeping schedules, buying groceries, team uniforms, school supplies, and figuring out homework assignments.
If I could wish anything for my grandkids, it would be to stay curious. To be kind. To dream big. And to know they are loved no matter what.
Years ago, I wrote these words. They're still what I hope for every child.
You can be who you want to be
Life is one big wonderful dream
Go ahead and reach for that star
It’s really not all that far
—Row, Row
When I came for a visit a couple of months ago, my grandson said he wanted to be a builder like his dad. That made me smile. Children naturally want to be like the people they admire most. So I sent him a LEGO ship. Building a boat seemed like a pretty good place to start, especially one that actually floats.
As I was writing this, I remembered a spring break we shared in Fort Worth. Coming from the Colorado mountains, where winter still had a firm grip, the kids and their parents were all dreaming of sunshine and swimming pools. But the weather had other plans. Typical spring.
There was a glorious day of sunshine before the storms rolled in and the temperatures dropped. It reminded me of the spring breaks we took when I was growing up. We always headed to California expecting warm, sunny beaches and hoping to come home with a great tan. It rarely worked out that way.
That Texas trip inspired me to write Spring Break Blues.
I love this photo of my grandson because his face says it all. He was disappointed that spring break wasn’t turning out the way he’d imagined. We’ve all felt that way.
I hope he learns early that life is full of sunny days and stormy ones. Things don’t always go according to plan, but somehow they have a way of working out. The sun comes back. Smiles return. Today’s disappointment becomes tomorrow’s story.
Spring Break Blues (Listen to the front porch demo on YouTube)
On the bright side, I don’t have a sunburn
And there’s no sand in my shoes
Rain or shine, you and me we’ll be just fine
‘Cause I’d go anywhere with you
If all goes according to plan, this August we’ll climb aboard the Pirate Ship at Lake of the Ozarks. I can’t wait. Who knows what the weather will do. Either way, I know we’ll come home with another great story.
Happy seventh birthday! You have so much to look forward to.
Your grandkids are so cute! Love hearing about your adventures and looking forward to seeing you soon!