One of the highlights of our trip for me was a special time that my granddaughter and I spent sharing an ice cream together. Leigh had her favorite- a chocolate cone with sprinkles- and I had mine- mint with chocolate shavings. We sat together for a bit, just licking our treats and smiling. Then I asked, "Leigh do you know why you're here and Sam (her brother) or Isaac (her cousin) aren't?" She shook her head, no. "Because," I explained, "you are my first grandchild, my first granddaughter- you are the FIRST- and I love you!" This smile was the result. It is so important to not only praise our children, but tell them why they are special to us. When we said goodbye today, I told Leigh we would do something special together again. "What do you think we should do?" I asked. I think you know what her answer was!
NICE SMILE!!! I think she said she wanted to come back and eat more ice cream! I love it that you told her these things. I believe it's so important to feel valued. I never heard them growing up from anyone...until I married Chris. Sad...but true. And that he's gone, I've lost that as well.
@digitalrn Absolutely Rick!! @mrssmith Thanks Mrs. Smith- yes it is so important to feel valued. I know this will sound crazy, and I know that physically I am not a day to day part of your life, but you are important to me. I'm not just saying that and it's hard to convey it by typed words, but there have been several people on 365 that I feel strongly connected to- heart to heart is the closest way to describe it. My heart is knit to them. And you are one of those people. I value you tremendously. In a way (not as deeply I realize) I am working through some grief of my own. The loss of my teaching job and then the failure of my church to come up with funding for me to continue to work there has been difficult to adjust to. But 365 has been a good way to redirect my negative thoughts and sorrow. I always look forward to your pictures and comments and feel each one, and as I said, even though I'm not there by your side, you have become quite special to me. So although I will never be like Chris was to you, I just want you to remember that someone out there cares about you and values you and thinks you're a special person!
I'll bet you have developed a special relationship with each of your grandkids. I only have one little girl but I certainly know that bond between grandchild and grandparent is special indeed.
@allie912 Thanks Allison- I see them beginning. With Leigh, now that she's older, it's definitely growing into something so fun. And it's nice for me having been surrounded by men for so long! With Sam (who's 1) and Isaac (who's 6 months), it's still growing, but we've shared a lot of smiles and snuggles so far.
@mrssmith Thanks Mrs. Smith- yes it is so important to feel valued. I know this will sound crazy, and I know that physically I am not a day to day part of your life, but you are important to me. I'm not just saying that and it's hard to convey it by typed words, but there have been several people on 365 that I feel strongly connected to- heart to heart is the closest way to describe it. My heart is knit to them. And you are one of those people. I value you tremendously. In a way (not as deeply I realize) I am working through some grief of my own. The loss of my teaching job and then the failure of my church to come up with funding for me to continue to work there has been difficult to adjust to. But 365 has been a good way to redirect my negative thoughts and sorrow. I always look forward to your pictures and comments and feel each one, and as I said, even though I'm not there by your side, you have become quite special to me. So although I will never be like Chris was to you, I just want you to remember that someone out there cares about you and values you and thinks you're a special person!