Posts Tagged ‘grandparents’
The Transition from Child to Caregiver
I spent the last few days in the hospital with my dad. He is 79. When we are young we think our parents are invincible. We never pause to think that they are getting older. Until they do. Growing up, my dad always seemed so tall. So big. So calm. His motto throughout life has always been, ‘be kind.’ I can remember him saying it to me from a very early age. I never truly understood it’s importance until I had kids of my own. He knew all along. As…
Read MoreWhen You Think About Grandpas
When you think about a grandson’s relationship with his grandpa…. I imagine baseballs being thrown. I imagine basketballs being shot. I imagine a little shadow following grandpa around asking nonstop questions. I picture trips to the Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone. I think of hand holding. Snuggling on the couch watching cartoons. Or country westerns. Or the auto channel. In my head I hear stories….‘Back when I was your age.’ I imagine special trips and holidays. I’ll tell you the truth. We got something different. Not less. No…
Read MoreCall Baapa
“Call Baapa. Call Baapa. Call Baapa. Call Baapa. Call Baapa.” Conor repeated this over and over and over (and over and over) while he paged through a book on the living room floor. He was stuck. This has started happening more lately and it always breaks me. As I stood there silent I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks again. I just wish his brain worked right, the thought swept over me again for the 100th time that week. Conor was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome shortly after his second…
Read MoreI’m Thankful For You: My Son’s Angel Nana
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Kayla Stewart and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.) This November I would like to honor my Mom Tammy, who is now my son’s Angel Nana up above. My son Dawson is going to be four at the end of this month and was diagnosed with autism on March 6th, 2017 at the age of 3.5 years old. Although he is nonverbal, he can sign a song in a heartbeat. He loves being hugged tight and being held high. And oh,…
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