Hi everyone!
It’s Mommy Monday!
Well, here it is… another year… another reflection on the struggles and rewards that grandparents raising grandchildren experience on a daily basis.
When we first announced our intent to adopt and raise our twin grandsons, I was shocked at some of the responses we received. We were chastised, ostracized, and criticized by the ignorant and selfish few who felt we were making a poor choice.
A few who wouldn’t, or couldn’t, understand that this wasn’t a choice… it was a responsibility!
We didn’t do it for admiration, sympathy, or guilt. We did it for no other reason than for the LOVE of family… because THAT’S what family does… they take care of their own.
Four years ago tomorrow, we made a life-altering commitment.
We traded a home filled with peace and quiet for a home filled with constant chaos…
We sacrificed our well-earned privilege to enjoy freedom and spontaneity for the struggle of finding a responsible babysitter for an occasional (and rare!) night out…
We delayed the long-awaited reward of being empty-nesters to continue playing the roles of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny, hosting birthday parties and graduation open houses, back-to-school shopping, attending school conferences, homework questions, and sitting patiently in doctors’ offices with two very impatient children…
We became a one income family in exchange for providing some much-needed stability, security, structure, and guidance…
We pushed back the dream of early retirement for book rental, orthodontics, karate lessons, piano lessons, sports equipment, band instruments, and college tuition….
We gave up all the fun of being grandparents who “spoil them and send them home” to hear “You’re mean!“, “Everyone else gets to, why can’t I?!?”, and “That’s not fair!“…
Our entire family dynamic changed when we adopted our then-8-year-old twin grandsons.
Has it been easy??? OF COURSE NOT!
Has it been worth it??? ABSOLUTELY!!!
They’re happy, healthy, thriving, loved, and SAFE!
We still have a long way to go, but it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come.
Thank you, God… for giving them a fighting chance at this thing called life…
Happy BONUS Birthday Jimmy and Jeff… we love you!!!
Enjoy!
Lynn