This past Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6:27 p.m., I became a Glamma – again!
Logan Michael Riley entered into this world weighing seven pounds, five ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long. He is the son of my youngest daughter, Brooke, and her husband Clint.
Two years ago, I entered into the elite and amazing group of grandparenthood; and I must say being a grandmother (AKA Glamma) has been absolutely wonderful and one of the greatest joys in my life. (Although it is still hard to believe that I am actually old enough to have grandchildren. It seems just like yesterday that I was 25 years old, with two small children of my own. Only now-a-days I don't have that same youthful energy and it takes me a lot longer to get up off the floor when playing.)
As I watched Brooke grow during her pregnancy, my heart swelled with joy, love and adoration. I knew she and Clint were going to be such good, loving parents. I felt pride in the woman she had become and reverence, for both she and Clint, in all they were doing in preparing everything, just perfectly, for the arrival of their new son.
For the last eight months I have prayed daily for the safety of Brooke and their unborn child; and now for the last several days I have prayed and thanked God for answering my prayers.
This birth was a little different, for we weren't allowed to go into the hospital. So, for the first two days of Logan's life, we only had pictures that were texted to us and Facetime phone calls to rely on. It wasn't until Monday night that we all got to hold him. Oh, what a flood of emotions that was … to hold such a tiny little baby again; to hold such a true miracle of God and to just hold and gaze down at this little boy that I know will have me wrapped around his little finger in no time at all.
To watch Brooke and Clint hold him and cuddle him brought back all the memories of my first few days at home, alone with a newborn. The anxious and nervous feelings of not knowing what to do, of being scared of hurting him and the pure feelings of helplessness at other times; it's a learning experience I don't think any parent ever forgets.
I must admit, two years ago when Kennedy first came home, I relived a lot of those same feelings again with her. When she would spend the night with me, I would wake up constantly … just to check on her and make sure she was still breathing. Even now, at age two, I wake up throughout the night and put the baby monitor to my ear, so I can hear her breathing. It just goes to show that no matter how old we are, the motherly instincts just never leave us.
I love my two daughters with my every being! However, I was always told that the love of a grandchild would surpass anything I thought I could possibly feel for another child. Some of my friends often told me they wish their grandchildren had come first. Others jokingly said, "I think I love my grandkids more than my kids." I had always laughed at my friends … not truly knowing the depth of those statements … until I became Glamma. It is truly a special kind of love.
So, what makes being a grandparent feel so amazing? I believe It is because when we were in our young 20's or 30's, raising our children was our job. We got up and went to work to make money to raise our family. At the end of the day, we went home and it was our job to take care of everyone (baths, washing clothes, dinner and bedtime). We awoke the next morning with the same tasks at hand. The sad fact of life is at that age you don't have time to really relish in all the memories. At such a young age, you feel like it will last forever.
That's why being a grandparent is so special. Now we all know how fast the days go by. In a blink of an eye, our children are grown and have moved out of the house. We find ourselves longing to hear little baby footsteps and a child's giggles and laughter, once again.
There is no greater love than that of a parent/grandparent; and there is no greater gift from God than that of a child/grandchild.