Who is a grandparent? According to most dictionaries the definition is simple, it is a parent of one's mother or father. I remember the joy of my parents when they became grandparents, and the fun times they had with the grandchildren as they were growing up towards adulthood. All of their grandchildren are not biological, but you couldn't tell that when you were around them. All of the kids were treated and loved the same.
Through the years I have heard through general conversations that many people do not believe a person can be a mother, father, or grandparent to a child if they do not have their blood running through the child's veins. I have been told by many women that you are not complete until you have a child of your own. To some women, I guess that is what being a woman is all about. There was a times when that's how I felt, but life had a way of changing my thoughts and making me realize the love I had to give was channeled towards another direction. There was a reason, and God is the one who paved that path for me!
I know the love I have had for all the little ones that came across my path which included all my nieces, nephews, and Bill's son, David, has been real. I love them all with all that I have, but I have been told it's not the same. Granted, I did not carry them for nine months and endure the pain of childbirth, but I love them just the same, and I worry about them as a parent would (at least I feel I do).
I actually worked with a woman who told me I would never be complete because I did not have a child of my own, and that she was a better woman than me because she had a child. Needless to say, those comments hurt, but I did not let my life revolve around them. I freely gave my love to all my nieces and nephews, my cousin's children, and most assuredly to David. Why do some people say such cruel things? Only God knows! There have been times when things were said that hurt, but they weren't said with the intent of hurting me. There are many woman out there who would love to have children of their own, but for various reasons can not! We can't live our lives wondering why and being depressed! God would not want that!
Since Cora Ann's birth, I have thought about what it would have been like to have had a biological child and ultimately a biological grandchild. Right now I don't think I could love them anymore than I do Cora Ann. I have appreciated being included in the circle of Cora Ann's grandparents. As I watched both David and Jeni's parents hold their granddaughter for the first time, I could see the love in their eyes; the tenderness in their touch; and the sound of their soothing voice when talking to her. Love was unleashed after nine months of waiting at the first sight of this baby girl.
Yes, it is sad to say there are many parents and grandparents in this world who do not possess the quality of loving a precious baby as he/she enters this world. Too many times the baby is a trophy to be shown to the world that my life is now complete. Those children will grow up in a house without the nourishing love needed to help them become the person God wants them to become.
Cora Ann was born into a family of love, faith, and hope. The love she will and has received will be astounding and unmeasurable; the faith she will learn as she learns to love our Lord and Savior as her parents and grandparents do; and the hope that her life will be a blessed one will help her as she grows and reaches adulthood. Cora Ann is going to be blessed with the love of all her grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins, and most assuredly her parents. So much love for one so small!
Last week while holding Cora on my shoulder, and her placing her head against my neck with her little hands touching me was surreal. How can it get any better than that? The love I felt; the content of that precious baby girl in my arms; is that the same love grandparents feel when they hold "their" grandchild? I think so. I hope and pray that Cora Ann knows how much I love her even if my blood does not flow through her veins.
The following pictures will introduce you to all the grandparents! Notice the love beaming from all their faces as they look at and hold their granddaughter!
Cora Ann Hardin - our granddaughter! Two weeks old!
David's mother - Charlotte - Grandma
David's mother - Charlotte - Grandma
Jeni's father - Rick - Grampy
Jeni's mother - Carol - Grammy
Grandad Bill
Mammaw Sue
We all love you Cora Ann. To all those out there who are afraid to give your love to a child that is not yours biologically, go for it, because the love you receive in return is overwhelming! The love I have received - first from my nieces and nephews and then from David - is one of the most wonderful feelings I have had! The love I have for Cora, and the love I felt from her in return last week is unbelievable!
Today, I feel complete! I do have a precious granddaughter to love!
Cora also has some great-grandparents! Jeni's grandfather on her mother's side; her grandmother on her father's side; David grandparent's on his mother side; and we can't forget about my mother who has always counted David as one of her eight grandchildren!
So many "grandparents" to love one small baby! How much better can it get than this!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment