Gifts from Gramps: My Joy-Filled Journey from Granddaughter to Grandmother

What gifts could one man offer that would bring me happily through childhood, whole through the self-doubts of the awkward teen years, grateful for a successful career, and excitedly into the grandma phase of life? The gifts of faith, time, patience, compassion, and gratitude; shared through the unconditional love of my gramps. Threaded through each, the promise, hope, and truth of the Gospel. His love for the Lord, unconditional love for me, and love for life, in general, set a wonderful example for the grandma that I now strive to be. As I pray for my children and for each of my grandchildren, those born, and those to come, I ask God to help me be the kind of grandma to them that they will still be thankful for when they reach this phase in their lives. In the following pages, I've pulled together special memories from my life as a child, through my career as an activity professional, caring for those grandmas and grandpas who brought additional joy into my life and ending with my rewarding experiences as a mom and a grandma. These are my most favorite and impassioned memories, treasured within my heart until now. I hope they will inspire bursts of laughter, a touching tear or two, and perhaps a trip to a local care facility as a volunteer to experience first hand the joy of a life filled with a wonderful collection of loving grandparents.