I’ve been raising my grandson for a little over a year now. When I tell you it is a whole ‘nother experience??? Chile! It is a whole ‘nother experience. I keep having to pause and put my hands on my hips and shake my head. Shove my hands in my pockets often so I don’t strangle him – or I’m stopping and sighing so deep I’m eventually going to hyperventilate and pass out. This boy is a contradiction walking around and breathing. I KNOW I’ve done this before. You know, flesh and bloodline, so I had to have raised a child in order to have a grandchild in the first place, but umm… how come the same rules don’t apply?
This little human talks back, is damn near more stubborn than me and has all these bad habits I’m tearing out my hair trying to break. It wasn’t like this 21 years ago and that’s the kicker. Its should be old hat but its shiny and new and driving me crazy. I did this once, but I started from the womb. If you have ever had to correct another persons bad habits then you know how I’m feeling. I work hard not to focus on fault and move to making it better, but it definitely gets complicated.
Despite all that, we manage to teach each other lessons on a regular. He likes to shoot little snapchat vids with me being silly. I teach him that being teased and being called “Small Human” and “Baby Boy” are signs of affection. He’s terrible at telling jokes, but likes to tell them anyway. He draws me pictures and leaves them for me to find on my bed when I get home from work. I help him redirect negative emotions into positivity. My favorite is when he is surprised to find he can actually do something he “just knows” he cant. Like, KNOWS with all his 8 years of life experience he cant. It takes a minimum 15 minutes of trying to convince him to at least TRY! *insert hands in pockets & deep sighs here*
The 7.5 of 10 times I can convince him to try in the first place – and not give up the first time its not perfect – he always does it, and the look on his face is priceless. The surprise he feels that he did it is new to him every time. No matter how many times I said I “just know you can”, he is still amazed he did it himself. There is a palpable joy that emanates from him. So much so it feels like my accomplishment as much as his. How often as adults do we get that feeling?
That’s my point-four-hundred-and-some-odd words later. When was the last time YOU did something you just knew you couldn’t? When was the last time you talked yourself into trying something new? Stretched yourself to go for it? Work, school, home, a relationship? When was the last time you felt palpable joy at something? If you’re still trying to remember, you might need to make some adjustments in life. Like I tell the small human, even if you fail you win. You tried something new and just trying is something to be proud of. You learn the lesson and do better next time. Come on. Go be surprised.
You matter. Be the light.
Blog may be altered and edited by author from original posting at authors discretion.
I LOOOVE THIS. And I see your spark every time I see you do anything. (I can’t help myself but…
Thank you!
Marvelous writing. I’m waiting for the book!
Excellent, bravo Queen I’m estatic and cannot wait for more. Blessed be the new journey.
So The Redhead Said 
wow!! 94You Don’t Have To