Grandma Love

I arrived at the beach this morning with my niece Jessica yelling "I've got two fish in my bucket. See, see see!"  Emily and Jessica were hard at work laying on the edge of the dock trying to use their new fishing nets to scoop up the awaiting minnows below.  After many futile attempts, it seemed like the minnows had caught on to the girl's scheme and headed for calmer waters.  Emily was trying hard not to be too disappointed as her bucket sat empty and her cousin's bucket was abounding in spoils.  My mom, Emily's beloved Grandma set off to do what she could for her granddaughter.  The fact that she had had two knee surgeries in the past ten months was irrelevant.  She got herself down on that dock and didn't get up until she caught a fish for  Emily.  


After more than half an hour, and hardly any circulation left in mom's arm, Emily's bucket was no longer empty.  A silver shaded minnow was the newest addition to our family and a smile returned to our little Emily's face.

We joke about how mom hasn't quite figured out all the functions of her email, or the camera on her cell phone, or what an ipod is.  But I have watched and admired the love she has for my children.  She would swim across shark infested waters for them.  She has a fierce sense of protection and pride in who they are.  I have a deep and profound appreciation for that mom of mine!

A Little Lesson:

Some would say that grandmothers spoil their grandchildren.  I believe that grandmothers know that their grandchildren are busy being raised by their parents, and so it is their obligation and sacred duty to raise them up high above that busyness and help them feel in every way that they are the most important people in the world.