Karen OConnor - Grandma, You Rock!: And Other Great Stories for the Young at Heart

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

All Scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Published in association with the Books & Such Literary Agency, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5370, www.booksandsuch.biz

Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota

Cover illustration Dugan Design Group

GRANDMA, YOU ROCK!
Formerly Bein a Grandparent Aint for Wimps
Copyright 2009 by Karen OConnor
Published 2012 by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-4894-4 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-4895-1 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

OConnor, Karen.

Bein a grandparent aint for wimps / Karen OConnor.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-7369-2405-4 (pbk.)

1. GrandparentsPrayers and devotions I. Title.

BV4845.O36 2009

248.845dc22

2008028529

All rights reserved . No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

To all the upstanding members of the best community of all

The Grandparents Club.

I wish to thank these men and women for contributing their ideas, experiences, and story seedsall of which have been woven into the fabric of this book in a creative way.

Dreama Amos Elizabeth Amos Barbara Anson Virginia Baty Betty Blyler Judy Booth Larry and Barbara Burkhardt Linda Carlblom Elaine Carr Kitty Chappell Joan Clayton Annetta Dellinger Ann Fetter Marilou Flinkman Charles Flowers Sandra Schoger Foster Kris Flynn Jennifer Fromke Cyndi Hall LeAnne Hardy Nancy Humphreys Pat Stockett Johnson Margie Lang Judith Larmon Patricia Lorenz Mary McCormick Carol Nicolet Lynn Morrissey Mary Pastor Mary Beth Robb Peggy Matthews Rose Jayne Schooler Joanne Schulte Beverly Bush Smith Terri and Ed Sutor Dave and Carla Talbot Sandra Victor Gary Winters

Contents

Happiness is bein a grandparent. I hope you agree. Grandkids keep us youthful, humble, and wide-awake. They also keep us on our knees, as well as in and out of malls and markets. We read books and ride bikes together, play Shadow Tag and Ring Around the Rosy, cheer from the bleachers at their soccer and baseball games, and weep at the sight of them in their first prom dresses or tuxes.

What would our lives be like without sticky kisses, heavenly hugs, adoring eyes, and hand-printed notes on our birthdays? To quote a well-known bumper sticker: If Id known being a grandparent was this much fun, Id have done it first!

I hope you enjoy the stories in this book. Theyre creatively based on true experiences in my life and in the lives of dozens of other grandmas and grandpas. And while youre reading, please join me in thanking God for the gift of these young people who help us live, love, and laugh in ways we never imagined.

Childrens children are a crown to the aged.

P ROVERBS 17:6

Karen OConnor

L ucy was thrilled to hear that her grandson Vics wife, Vanessa, was pregnant. Lucy and her husband, Jim, were going to be great-grandparents! Unfortunately the grandkids lived in England, where Vic held a teaching position at Cambridge University. Lucy hoped one day she and Jim would be able to visit and meet their new great-grandson. In the meantime they would communicate with the family via e-mail and telephone and trade photos through the Internet.

Four years later Lucy and Jim were finally making it to England. Lucy could hardly wait to see her great-grandson. Shed heard so much about Peter from her grandkids and kids. Lucy and Jim arrived at the airport and were whisked off to their grandsons home. While driving, their grandson, Vic, briefed them on what to expect. He turned to Lucy and Jim, smiled, and raised his brows in a playful way. Be on your best behavior, he joked.

This time Lucy raised her brows! What kind of a greeting was this? She knew her grandsons sense of humor though, so she knew he was going to make a point.

And he did.

When I told Peter that you and Grandpamy grandparentswere his great -grandparents, he asked matter-of-factly, Whats so great about them? I guess its up to you to show him!

After their visit, when they arrived back home in the States, Lucy reported great-grandson Peters parting words: Grandma, you rock! Can you come again?

Reflection

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9).

Thank you so much, Lord, for my family and giving me the capacity to love.

G loria invited her three-and-a-half-year-old grandson to spend Wednesday at her house. They would play a game of Candy Land, go to the grocery store, watch Sprouts on TV, go for a walk with the dog, and rest in the hammock in the yard. And if there was any time left theyd do a little gardening. Tony liked to plant flowers and help his grandma pick weeds.

On Wednesday morning Gloria drove to Tonys house and picked him up. She noticed a change in him since the last time they were together. He hung his head and frowned. He was very quiet in the car and spoke only when Gloria asked him a question.

Whats going on? she finally asked. Gloria pulled up to a stoplight and turned to the boy in the backseat. Were going to have fun today! Im excited about spending the time together. How about you? She then listed all the activities shed planned.

Tony remained quiet and moody.

Gloria let out a deep breath. Something was clearly bothering him, but he wouldnt say what it was. She decided to go ahead with their day and see what occurred. She pulled into her driveway and opened the backdoor to help Tony out of the car seat.

He pushed her away and started screaming, I dont want to go!

Gloria didnt know what to do. She stepped back and told Tony to unbuckle his own seat belt. Shed wait for him on the front porch.

Tony kicked and screamed so loud that Gloria finally closed the car door so the neighbors wouldnt come running to see what was going on. She waited and waited. About ten minutes later the door opened, and Tony popped out of the car. He wasnt smiling, but he wasnt screaming either.

He trudged up the steps. Gloria got up and they walked into the house. Grandma Gloria pulled out a bottle of orange juice from the fridge. Want some?

Okay. Tony looked down.

Gloria could tell he was embarrassed about his behavior.

Sorry, he said, hunching his shoulders.

Its all right. I forgive you. What happened?

Laurie broke my airplane.

I see. Well, that hurts. Did she say she was sorry?

Yeah.

Did you forgive her?

Yes, but Im still mad.

I understand. It sounds as if you lost your temper. Maybe youd better get it back so we can have a fun day. What do you think?

Tony brightened and then ran out of the house.

Gloria followed him out to the car. What are you doing? she asked.

Looking for my temper. I think I lost it when you were driving.

Reflection

Be patient and stand firm (James 5:8).