WONDERFUL PARENTS

WONDERFUL PARENTS

My 13 and 11 year-old grandsons are so lucky. My daughter, Cathy, and son-in-law, James, are fantastic parents. They are devoted parents and do so much for and with the boys. Today, for example, they drove to the Wisconsin River near Arena, WI and took the boys canoeing -- with Cathy and Jared in one canoe and James and Jacob in another.

Over the years, they have vacationed in Mexico, visited James’ sister in the state of Washington, and attended my son’s wedding in Las Vegas. James and Cathy have also taken the boys to Packer Games in Green Bay and the SummerFest musical festival in Milwaukee. In addition, they spend a week every summer at the family’s cottage on the ocean in TopSail, N.C., and camp often at their cabin near Portgage, Wisconsin. James is also teaching my grandsons to hunt, a great male-bonding hobby.

When my two children, Cathy and Rick, were growing up, I was divorced and they did not have the wonderful opportunities my grandsons have. Although I wish they had, they were fortunate that my parents took them to Florida, the Six-Flags Amusement Park, Badger Hockey games, etc. It wasn’t, of course, the same but it must have been O.K. as Cathy and Rick have turned out to be wonderful adults

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.

APPRECIATION

I know my daughter appreciated it and she thanked me at the time. Plus I was more than happy to do it. But it warmed my heart this past Memorial Day at our family celebration when she said how great it was even though it took place 13 years ago.

When my daughter was born my Mother came to stay with me for the first two weeks so that I would have help taking care of my new baby. But I live only ten minutes away from my daughter so I wouldn’t be staying at her house when she brought Jacob, my first grandchild home from the hospital. In addition, my son-in-law owns his own business and works out of their house. As a result, I felt that they hardly needed me around as a possible intrusion during the day.

Thus, I told my daughter, that for her first two weeks home from the hospital I would do the grocery shopping and come to her house every evening to cook dinner. It was over 13 years ago, but I still remember quite clearly spending the time in her kitchen cooking, eating dinner with her and James, and enjoying my brand new grandson. But as time has past I hardly ever think of that time anymore. And so I beamed with pleasure when she mentioned those days and how much she appreciated my cooking for her.

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.

MOTHER’S DAY 2009

Last week when I passed the Mother’s Day cards at the grocery store, I paused for a minute with a pang of sadness and walked on. My Mother had died in February and so I would not be celebrating Mother’s Day anymore. And not until a few days later when a neighbor asked what I would be doing on Mother’s Day, did it hit me that of course I would celebrate Mother’s Day. After all, I have two children and two grandchildren.

As my grandsons have a busy Sunday playing in their teams’ Lacrosse games, we couldn’t get together. Instead, we went out for dinner last night. And since my son lives in Chicago, I won’t get to see him, but I hope he will call me. However, if I don’t hear from him by 7:00, I will call him instead. “Rick,” I will say, “How are you doing. I am just calling so that you can wish me Happy Mother’s Day ;-) “. As they say if the mountain won’t come to you, then you should go to the mountain.

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.