Homebodies - I am blessed
- Details
- Published on Saturday, August 20, 2016
By Rita Friesen
Neepawa Banner
This week I have been blessed with the care and concern my grandchildren show to and for me. I have long known that they are all good kids, but now, they are exceptional adults. Every one of them.
It started Sunday. A granddaughter and I were making a quick trip into Winnipeg for window treatments for my new home. We stopped for gas in Gladstone and I realized that not only did I not have a single credit or debit card with me, I had no cash, no drivers license or CAA card. The night before I had carefully set out the paper with exact measurements of every window in my home, fabric samples and a short list of other ‘could use’ items. As I cringed at my lapse of clear thinking, my granddaughter laughed, told me to slide over, she would drive, and she could cover all my shopping until the next day. Beats going back home, getting my wallet and losing an hour or more of the short afternoon.
Another granddaughter brought me her boy for a visit. I love being a great-grand, but I don’t get to see the next generation very often, and not often enough. Great grandson number three is a year old, as charming as all-get-out and a breath of life and laughter. He will become an excellent big brother in the next half year. To make the visit even more enjoyable for everyone, three other grandchildren joined us for supper and games. There I sat, the matriarch surrounded by wonderful young adults that care for me. Clean my eaves, help me move, change the oil in my car, mow my lawn, listen to my stories. I am so very blessed.
With these lovely and loved family members I played more games, ate more junk food and stayed up late and had more fun than I have had in a long time. Our conversations were long and varied. Death with dignity, legalizing marijuana, planned and unplanned pregnancies, weaknesses in the education system – greater need for life skills information regarding loans, credit cards, mortgages and buying a car - and would/will I ever remarry. (After installing Windows Ten on my computer there is a little message on the bottom, ‘I’m Cortana. Ask me anything.’ I feel I can safely say, ‘I’m grandma. Ask me anything.’)
As I look around the table and bear witness to the next generation, I rest assured that there are many thinking, caring young adults ready to step forward and contribute to their world. I helped raise five chosen children, am blessed with nine grandchildren, three great grands and in-laws galore. Not for a minute believing that any of us are perfect, I am content in knowing that we are all doing our best. I am blessed.
