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As much as I hate to admit it, there was a time between all of my kids leaving home, getting married, and having babies when I really struggled with my place in this world. After years of raising and guiding children, I felt like I was pretty useless in this new stage of life, and I began feeling a little lost and hopeless. That is until, of course, my grandbabies came along and gave my life a whole new meaning and purpose!
If you can relate to this, you may also be able to relate to this grandma whose new grandbaby not only gave her a whole new lease on life but pulled her back from the edge. (Get your tissues ready – I know I sure needed them.)
To my new grandbaby, Who was born on this very day and changed my entire life in an instant. Happy Birthday, my little love, the one who saved my life. I can't believe I am getting these thoughts out of my head and onto paper, as this is something that I have lived with in silence for so many years. The loneliness. The solo dinners. The waiting for my grown kids to call and check-in, as I never wanted to interrupt their school, work, or life. The deafening sound of silence all day, every day. I did everything that "they" said I should do. I took up hobbies. I had standing coffee and dinner dates with friends. I made my plans with my kids around their schedules. I wrote. I drew. I volunteered. I went to church every Sunday. I took little trips by myself and looked at booking a cruise with my sister. "They" were wrong. These things didn't fill the vast void. I didn't know what would. I didn't know if anything could. Then one day, I received the call that I had been dreaming about for years. I was going to be a grandma - your Mimi. I forgot what hope felt like until I began thinking of you and all the good you would bring to this world. Isn't it amazing how someone so small and innocent can bring so much joy and happiness? New life is like that. It shines a light into the darkness, And can transform minds and hearts without even trying. You, my grandchild, have done just that. You don't know it (and may never know it), but you have softened my heart and molded it into something new. You have transformed my mind into seeing more of the beauty in the world instead of all of the hardship and sadness we see and hear daily. You make me want to be a better person. You make me want to live. You saved my life. You are mere hours old and have done so much already. Can you imagine how much you will do over the years? I thought I was near my end, but you made me step back from the edge to safer ground. I have my footing again. You don't have to worry about me. I will always cheer you on from both near and far. I will be your confidant, shoulder to cry on, and your partner in adventure. I will read to you, bake for you, and tell you bedtime stories while I rub your back. I am your Mimi, and because of you, I will be here for a very long time.
Do you see what I mean about the tissues? This letter was hard to read but reminded me of so many thoughts and feelings I had before and after the birth of my first grandchild. Grandchildren make us want to be better people and stick around for a long time.
God bless this grandma for sharing this letter with us. I pray that those reading this feel the same joy and hope from their grandkids. (I know you do!) I will talk to you soon, my fellow Devoted Grandma.
