What was meant to be a 3-week trip was extended into a one-month trip. What was meant to be the meeting of a new family member turned out to be so much more!
As I write on the plane during my long flight home, I cannot believe how true all those sayings about becoming a grandparent really are. You see, I am now a grandmother. My daughter and son-in-law invited me to visit after their first child was born.
I was able to see my daughter in action as she came home from the hospital, exclusively breast feed, look adoringly at her daughter even as she cried for unknown reasons. I was able to see her and her husband coparent in loving, intuitively natural and caring ways. Even as sleep-deprived parents they also joked, kissed and held hands.
It is also said that seeing your children as successful adults and parents is one of life’s greatest joys. Well, this new chapter of being a “family” has begun for them. My husband and I are finally “grandparents” and delighted to be members of this club. “Grand” is a perfect prefix to parenting because we have learned and loved so much from rearing our own children. Now it is time to pass the baton to the next generation and enjoy our new grand roles.