We're Grandpa and Grandma!!!

These last few weeks have been a very interesting and exciting time. We had received a phone call from our son and daughter in law asking us if we had any of his stuff left over from when he was a baby and toddler. They were going to be taking in a sibling group of four kids, ages six to six months as foster children. My goodness!!! What a huge influx of little ones for them. Of course we said yes and began planning a trip to Tennessee to deliver the things. We were elated for the children arriving but then other thoughts began to enter our minds.
These included, “What will they have the kids call us, they are not a permanent part of the family?” “Will the kids take to us?” We were finally able to leave on our trip after some delays because of a doctor appointment and subsequent having to find the medication I needed. Ah yes, lesson learned? Never assume you will have a quick and simple doctors check up in going the day you are supposed to leave! We pulled out several hours later than we had planned, but it worked out. We arrived at our hotel around 9:00 after a great supper at Cracker Barrel, a stop made every trip.
We woke up the next morning, had breakfast at the hotel, and then hit the road again. Rather than driving straight down to Smyrna, Tennessee, we took a side trip to Owensboro, Kentucky to visit the International Bluegrass Music Museum. We had read about it several places and our curiosity had been piqued to see what was there. It was a great couple of hours walking around looking at instruments played by the early founders of this interesting genre of music which in some quarters is growing in popularity. The time ended with us buying some souvenirs, of course, and being invited to hang around for the music session, known as a jam, a couple of hours later. Unfortunately, we had promised to be in Smyrna at a certain time so it was “On The Road Again”, as Willie Nelson would sing. I’m sure the museum is a place we will visit again.
We finally arrived and met the children as they were having some supper, pizza, always a favorite. Pat asked me to take the four or five year old to wash her hands. As I got her started on the task, she looked at me and said, “Are you Grandma”? Oh my, what to answer? I really didn’t know what to say. I gave her a neutral answer at that point and we went out to play and read books. The grandkids were really excited about the two boxes of books we had brought along to give them. In talking with Myla after she got home the question of what to have the kids all us was settled. We were Grandpa and Grandma….WOW. The emotions were indescribable to hear those words spoken to us. All weekend it was Grandpa this, Grandma that and it was wonderful! Reading books to them, playing, just soaking it all up. Saturday morning we awoke to the sounds of the baby waking up, talking to herself and zipping around the crib. I got up and went across the hall and saw three little faces poking out of the other bedroom. I said, “Oh, come on, you can get up.” Soon our bedroom was filled with children, toys and books. My goodness!! We were more than happy to let our “kids” sleep in a little bit and entertain the grandkids. A busy day ensued and ended with us taking care of the grandkids so the “kids” could have an evening to themselves…you think we minded much? Not really.
The next day we all went to Chuck E. Cheeses for lunch and a little “burn off some energy” time for the grandkids. What fun it was for all of us. We traveled back to Smyrna and reluctantly said, “Good bye”, with lots of hugs from everybody. We pulled out to head for home. Was it a full weekend, yes! Was it tiring, again, yes! Was it worth the trip? You bet your life! We love these children as though they are a permanent part of the family. They were created by God and deserve His best and we will be the best Grandparents we know how to be for them. The love of children is one of the best things you can have in this world.