It's Amazing

It's amazing to me how we are designed to progress throughout life continuously adapting to our situation. I am finding true that certain things just change with age and time. My youngest child is 14.5 years old, and I now find myself working on five grandchildren. With the early introduction of grandkids to our lives, it is forcing me to adapt to a new phase before my time.

Being a wife, mom, and Nana, along with the other hats I wear, is overwhelming at times. How do I effectively contribute to every aspect of my life? How do I meet the needs of everyone that depends on me and still take proper care of myself? I need feeding too, you know? What about my walk with God? What about my health? What about my interests? What about the care and keeping of me? How does one construct a healthy balance in one's life?

This dilemma seems to be the plight of women everywhere. I know my husband's job is demanding and stressful at times. I know he gets discouraged, angry, fearful, exhausted. But, somehow, I cannot help but look at him on occasion and think I wish that was all I had to deal with. I wish my life was that simple. I wish I could just go to work and come home. I wish I had a wife...figuratively speaking, of course! I know that the grass merely appears greener, but what a picture it sometimes paints.

With my youngest three headed for 19, 17, and 15 years of age, I find myself looking to the future with a renewed sense of anticipation. Although, sometimes it can be a twinge of fear that gets me. What will I do when it's just my man and me? How can I possibly spend "forever" with this man and no one else around? Then I quickly focus on the "no one else" part. How cool is that? This mom loves her children, but she looks longingly to the day when she is in total control of her time. There will be no educational planning, no organized teaching of children, no one to entertain, no one else's needs to be met. I will be free to command my time.

Oh, sure, the husband will still have his talons in my minutes, but he is but one person. There will be sleepovers with grands, gift making, volunteering at church and homeless shelters, mentoring, and whatever I choose to fill my time with. The ironic thing is that I am looking forward to serving others. I guess I just desire the freedom to be myself and choose where to put my efforts.

Grandma at 37?

Well, I don't go by "Grandma". Our grandkids know us by "Nana" and "Papa". We wanted something a little different given the fact that we were young grandparents.

What image does the word Grandma invoke for you? Do you think something along the lines of the wonderful lady pictured here? I think that's what most people think of when they think of Grandmas.

I have news for you people! Are you ready? NEWS FLASH: NOT ALL GRANDMAS HAVE GREY HAIR AND WRINKLES! What a shocker, eh?

When I was at the grocery store the other day I heard two moms talking. They very obviously had not seen each other in a while. One was commenting to the other, "You are 37 years old, and you are a grandma?!" Seriously folks, I laughed out loud. I couldn't help myself.

I became a "Nana" at the ripe "old" age of 34! Now, at the age of 37 I have four grandchildren with another on the way. Do the math. This means at the age of 38 I will have FIVE grandchildren. Yes, it seems impossible, but it does happen.

I am not even done raising children. I commented to my husband the other day that it is seeming more and more possible that we will have more grandchildren than children before we are even done raising them. It is frightening. How does one balance the time and give enough attention to every one? Well, that's another subject for another post...