I have been thinking about what my grandchildren might want to know about me. They live hours away from me and we don’t spend many days of the year face to face. (I do enjoy the days that we are able to touch, hug, and talk in the same space!!)
I want to talk about my first experiences with COMPASSION. When I was a little girl, living in the Village of Jerome in the suburbs of Springfield, Illinois, my mom shared her love by helping neighbors in small ways. She was a stay-at-home mom and took care of me, my dad, and my grandad. Sometimes neighbors needed a little help with household chores, like ironing special linens or gardening tips, or just a person to converse with. Being a gentle and kind soul, she would take me with her when she would visit or drop off her help tasks.
A hop, skip, and a jump across the road lived a family that had only one son, a remarkable person whose name was (let’s say) Michael, but we always called him Buddy. He was a teenager when I was 4 or 5. He had been stricken with cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheel chair. He was unable to walk, his speech was slow and halting, but he was able to use a typewriter to do his work of stock market trading. His mind was sharp, he loved to read, and those skills contributed to his life as he became an adult.
The best part of this story: Buddy really became my buddy. While his mom and my mom would be busy being friends, his wheel chair would be placed in the back yard which was the most special back yard I can remember. It was filled with clover. We would have the most wonderful conversations. He was a teenager, and he talked to me as if I could understand anything. He was a terrific listener; who knows what I told him? Our conversations took some effort, his speech was slow and affected by his handicap, and I had to learn to be a good listener. I had to get out of my little self and understand his efforts to communicate with me. I learned to value his whole person, see past his disability, and value myself in the process. I think that is COMPASSION.
And, as your gramg and a teacher these many years, this was a good thing to learn. I want you to learn it too!! xo gg
Oh Grandma I love this idea. And will surely share with Tana and boys when their attention expandes.
I like your style of writing too. It engaging and interesting.
Will look forward to read more.
Hi Love, Thanks for the encouraging words. My aim is to give dimension to who I am, it may be a long time before these kiddos have an interest in the other aspects (thoughts, feelings, and experiences) of me. I will try always to keep it up-beat and educational. Don’t want to be a helicopter grandma. Love you, xoxo momg
I’m so excited that you are blogging for them!!!! Priceless! xoxo
Hi love, They may take as much time as they want to be interested — trying to make it ageless, focused, and helpful. Tell Patrick to: “Bring It On”. Love you, xoxo mom
Love this Grandma Grace.
And I must say it is very well written, engaging and interesting.
I will read it to Tana and the boys when their attention span is a bit more….
Having lived with my Grandma for the last years of her life, I cherish her memories and I think that was such an important time in my life.
Looking forward to more topics.