As someone who has grown grands and a new great grand, I can tell you the transitions are unrelenting. I'm past the elder care giving stage and, as I was recently reminded, great grands don't have to babysit because no one trusts them with the baby. heh heh.
I will say I do have tender moments allowing myself to wander back to how it was when I was a young, energetic grandmother. Sometimes I grapple with what just can no longer be again. The dynamics of our family, a large tribe made up of blood relatives and those who were grafted in, means great changes for sure, especially since one generation is now middle and late middle aged. But we still have get togethers when we can and it's always memorable, full of laughing and leaving the crazy world outside for a bit and what we refer to as being 'epic'. I see this as a family heirloom that will be passed down the generations.
Change is the only constant in this life, for sure. We can go along and make the best of it or resist and miss out on the unexpected random, simple joys that come with the path God sets before us.
I started my substack as a way for me to share what it is like to be in the past the-sandwich-stage but not quite needing to be stored in a nursing home stage.
"Change is the only constant...." is absolutely true! I love that you're embracing the change and that future generations will love and enjoy the family heirloom of epic times!
You made such good points in your essay. Change is a given and life is nothing if not messy. We have had our share of tough times in all sorts of ways but, honestly, I can point to our close knit fabric of family to two key threads - an unwavering faith in Jesus as our guide and ... humor. As bad as things can be at times, we are good at laughing, especially at ourselves. I have a small sign that sits in my bookshelf that sums it up - We are God's favorite sit-com. :-)
I remember that it was the fluctuating number of plates on the table that tipped me off. Change was coming—and it CAME! I am well aware that change is the new constant, and keep trusting for grace to be flexible and available.
Judy this is a timely article for me. I'm in a similar situation with 4 generations to love and help care for. You give especially good advice in letting love lead and communicating (or sometimes not saying it, as the Spirit leads). Things change. Words cannot be retrieved once spoken. Pray and pray again. Amen.
This resonates with me on my current situation. My daughter is getting married and I’m trying to figure out how to get my parents to and from the venue. I also have to balance watching grandchildren with visiting parents.
I get it, and I know it gets complicated. That's when I have to remind myself that it's a blessing to have 4 generations of the family nearby. And, there's always Uber!
Dear Judy - this is so good. The larger the family grows, the more complex the dynamics ... and the more the heart expands to welcome the next new member and then the next and then the next.
As someone who has grown grands and a new great grand, I can tell you the transitions are unrelenting. I'm past the elder care giving stage and, as I was recently reminded, great grands don't have to babysit because no one trusts them with the baby. heh heh.
I will say I do have tender moments allowing myself to wander back to how it was when I was a young, energetic grandmother. Sometimes I grapple with what just can no longer be again. The dynamics of our family, a large tribe made up of blood relatives and those who were grafted in, means great changes for sure, especially since one generation is now middle and late middle aged. But we still have get togethers when we can and it's always memorable, full of laughing and leaving the crazy world outside for a bit and what we refer to as being 'epic'. I see this as a family heirloom that will be passed down the generations.
Change is the only constant in this life, for sure. We can go along and make the best of it or resist and miss out on the unexpected random, simple joys that come with the path God sets before us.
I started my substack as a way for me to share what it is like to be in the past the-sandwich-stage but not quite needing to be stored in a nursing home stage.
https://meemanator.substack.com/p/change
https://meemanator.substack.com/p/life-transitions
"Sometimes I grapple with what just can no longer be again." So well said. Thank you for your reflections, and for sharing your words in our world.
"Change is the only constant...." is absolutely true! I love that you're embracing the change and that future generations will love and enjoy the family heirloom of epic times!
You made such good points in your essay. Change is a given and life is nothing if not messy. We have had our share of tough times in all sorts of ways but, honestly, I can point to our close knit fabric of family to two key threads - an unwavering faith in Jesus as our guide and ... humor. As bad as things can be at times, we are good at laughing, especially at ourselves. I have a small sign that sits in my bookshelf that sums it up - We are God's favorite sit-com. :-)
I remember that it was the fluctuating number of plates on the table that tipped me off. Change was coming—and it CAME! I am well aware that change is the new constant, and keep trusting for grace to be flexible and available.
Praying for the grace to be flexible and available with you!
Flexible and available - yes!
Judy this is a timely article for me. I'm in a similar situation with 4 generations to love and help care for. You give especially good advice in letting love lead and communicating (or sometimes not saying it, as the Spirit leads). Things change. Words cannot be retrieved once spoken. Pray and pray again. Amen.
The wisdom and spiritual maturity we have at this age is helpful, isn't it? Yes, pray and pray again! Thank you, Carol!
This resonates with me on my current situation. My daughter is getting married and I’m trying to figure out how to get my parents to and from the venue. I also have to balance watching grandchildren with visiting parents.
I get it, and I know it gets complicated. That's when I have to remind myself that it's a blessing to have 4 generations of the family nearby. And, there's always Uber!
Dear Judy - this is so good. The larger the family grows, the more complex the dynamics ... and the more the heart expands to welcome the next new member and then the next and then the next.
Yes! Thanks, Linda!