A young mother in her twenties probably believes that at some point, she will become a grandmother. Many mothers actually anticipate this with great fervor. Even some fathers enjoy the idea of becoming a grandfather. Life rarely happens according to our expectations or our hopes; however. Many parents become grandparents far sooner than they were prepared to. Others wait for years to acquire that role, but may be disappointed if their children opt to be childless, or if their children become estranged from them, wishing to deny their parents the opportunity to know their grandchildren.
Probably very few grandparents look forward to becoming great grandparents. Becoming a great grandmother or great grandfather is clearly a sign that we are no longer young. Our time here is nearing its natural limit and we may be reminded of the fact that those items on our bucket list are at risk of evaporating, if we don’t make haste to redeem them. There is generally great joy at becoming a grandparent, but becoming a great grandparent, has more of a bittersweet quality. We feel a kind of melancholy for what is gone from our lives. We think about our past mistakes, as well as the good that we have contributed during the span of our lifetime. We know that there is little time left, to atone and make things right prior to our departure.
What wisdom can we pass along to a generation that does not value the aged or the elderly? How do we inspire the young when they want to sweep us away into a nursing home, to be forgotten? As I am writing this, my oldest grandson is becoming father to his second daughter. I now have two great grandchildren. Becoming a great grandmother is something I am still trying to wrap my mind around. I have so many dreams still, and a desire to share my knowledge and wisdom. Will I have that opportunity before the tick of the clock makes its final tock?
