I became a first time grandfather a year ago, a few months before I turned 61. You have such an awesome role model in Helen (what a great and loving post) that I have zero doubt that grandparent awesomeness has become part of you.
I wrote a post when I became a grandfather and it links to a post I wrote about beingan expectant grandfather. I thought you might enjoy them.
Hi. I have written a book for grandmothers, which is not the usual 'how to do it' (in my view, that comes naturally), but how does it feel to be a grandmother? Based on the words of actual grandmothers of all shapes and sizes (from interviews with them). Lots of ideas, but mainly a way of thinking about how you feel. See https://www.books2read.com/u/b5MKjp. My book with the same title as my Substack is about how I love being an older woman (now 81), see getbook.at/Stands-on-Head. Sounds like you will be a great grandmother (yes, perhaps that too, but you know what I mean.)
Thank you so much, Ann! Yes, I know what you mean! I appreciate your kind words. Your Substack sounds wonderful and your book as well. I look forwarding to reading your words and taking inspiration from them.
Thanks. My Substack is on anything I feel like writing about, including art, sex, grandmother issues and lots else besides. It's been going for about a year. I just launched a paid option, made it extremely clear (I thought) that everyone who subscribed free would get everything I wrote, also indicated that all income would be donated to a local charity for homeless people – and YET 25-30 people immediately unsubscribed. So I am very happy to have all new subscribers. And no one has to pay who doesn't want to.
By the way, if you want to get a very quick overview of my views about being old, read "All my Future is Behind Me" which someone said to me, but is the exact opposite of what I think which is what the post is about.
I love how much of your grandmother you conveyed with her words. And that pillowcase - a treasure! Both of my grandfathers died young, so I only knew my grandmothers as highly independent women taking care of themselves. Only later did I realize the impact of that. Wishing you much joy in the spring!
Love this. She does sound like quite a special character, full of life and fun. Of course, I thought of my grandmothers as I read. I'm the same age as you, so they've been gone a long time. You've inspired me to write about them, just to remember their best qualities. Love those expressions, and that you used them at the end - I LOL'd.
Thanks, Julie! I'm so happy you read it, it was only my second post so it was mostly family reading at that time. Great - I hope you post about your grandmothers! Grandmas are such special people, it's going to be big shoes to fill, so I can use all the inspiration I can get!
OH EM GEEEE! What a great idea to make a pillow out of Helen's dresses. You were lucky to have Helen in your life.
I was a grandma young-my daughter got pregnant in college at age 20. Even though I was upset about it at the time, a baby changes everything for the better! My granddaughter is 9 now and I wouldn't change a thing. She has a new baby brother now who is only two months old. My other daughter is having another baby boy in June. It's such a beautiful time of life.
I think you have plenty of time to get that knee thing worked out. When the baby does start walking, be ready to run after him!
Thank you so much, Ilona! Yes, that pillowcase is on my list of things to grab if we ever have to evacuate for a wildfire. A couple of my relatives had babies very young also and I remember that their parents were so upset at first, but those babies were so, so loved! You've waited quite a few years for more grandkids - how sweet that the little boys will be so close in age!
I was 66 when I became a grandma, something I thought would never happen. At our age, it’s all the sweeter. At first I didn’t want to be called grandma, so my daughter proposed other names. In the end, the name grandma won out because of my Big Grandma (those grandparents were over 6’ tall while the others were 5’ tall). She sounds a little like Helen because we played Kings Corner, Go Fish, and Crazy 8s, though she didn’t give me beer because “it tastes like horse piss.” You’ll be an awesome Gma Cherie, and I can’t wait to read how this new little changes your life.
Lol, Deb! Ok, when we get a chance to meet IRL, we'll have to pull out the cards! And thank you so much! Yes, I am feeling good about it now, in addition to being excited. And I look forward to seeing how it changes my life too, and writing about it!
Hi Cherie after reading this I feel like I met Helen! It’s lovely that you have these memories. Unfortunately I have almost none for various reasons except this one time when my grandmother and I (mother’s side) sat out on a hot summer day and ate like a dozen of oranges. I remember how I enjoyed myself and yes the oranges were so juicy and sweet. I don’t eat them anymore as I am allergic to them! Coming back to your post I want to say I completely enjoyed reading it… every little bit about Helen was so interesting. Happy Birthday!! Have a great year ahead.
Thank you so much, Shital! I'm so happy you feel like you met her, she was a very special person. And I'm happy you at least have that one sweet memory of your grandmother. Thank you for reading, and for the birthday wishes!
I was 54 …still working. I didn’t like the thought, of course… too young to be called grandma..but as soon as I held her, it didn’t matter anymore. I had wonderful grandmothers…and mother too… all there to help me in the beginning. I get your concern about the other grandma, that bothered me with both kids’ children. They were working also and one lived further away. It all worked out like it was meant to.
You’re going to have the influence of your amazing Helen, she’ll guide you from above! 😊💜 Hugs
Thank you, Joan! Yes, I think once I hold him nothing else will matter. And just writing about Helen, I think she is already guiding me. And it helps to hear all the encouraging comments, so thank you!
The Melmac teacups! We actually have a whole set of these (brown ones too) along with mugs, plates & bowls that my mother in law gave us. Our kids drink milk from them everyday. We’re old parents (I had my babies at 37 & 43 and my partner is five years older) so she’s in her 80s now. I don’t know how many more years they’ll have her in their lives for (though her own mum made it to 100 so there’s longevity in the family). It’s beautiful to think of those cups bringing them back to her in their memories one day just like for you & your Grandma Helen 🥰 The very fact of this post I think makes it clear you will be a wonderful grandmother. Exciting times ahead for your whole family eh. PS my Nan was 57 when I was born and we had the most fantastic relationship till she died aged 89. Age is no barrier 😊
Thank you, Vicki! That is so cool that you have the teacups and the whole set! It is nice to think that such simple things can hold so many memories. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement!
This is such a sweet post Cherie. Congrats on this beautiful new chapter to come! Embrace your unique journey and the special bond you're about to form with your grandchild, just as “Grandma” Helen did in her own memorable way.
And thank you for the restack. I apologize for briefly calling you Gary. I was conversing with Gary also, and was momentarily brain-addled. I fixed it now. The other day, I accidentally typed "Christ" when I was referring to Chris. Need to slow down!
My mom was a wonderful grandmother to my daughter, she adored her, her first grandchild, and that gave my husband and me so much joy! She was a wonderful babysitter too, we could leave our daughter with her for a weekend and she didn’t want to give her back at the end of the weekend 😂
Hi Cherie,
I became a first time grandfather a year ago, a few months before I turned 61. You have such an awesome role model in Helen (what a great and loving post) that I have zero doubt that grandparent awesomeness has become part of you.
I wrote a post when I became a grandfather and it links to a post I wrote about beingan expectant grandfather. I thought you might enjoy them.
https://robertsdavidn.substack.com/p/expectant-grandfather-actual-grandfather
Hello David,
Thank you so much for your kind works and encouragement. I am heading over to read your posts now, thank you so much for sharing them!
Hi. I have written a book for grandmothers, which is not the usual 'how to do it' (in my view, that comes naturally), but how does it feel to be a grandmother? Based on the words of actual grandmothers of all shapes and sizes (from interviews with them). Lots of ideas, but mainly a way of thinking about how you feel. See https://www.books2read.com/u/b5MKjp. My book with the same title as my Substack is about how I love being an older woman (now 81), see getbook.at/Stands-on-Head. Sounds like you will be a great grandmother (yes, perhaps that too, but you know what I mean.)
Thank you so much, Ann! Yes, I know what you mean! I appreciate your kind words. Your Substack sounds wonderful and your book as well. I look forwarding to reading your words and taking inspiration from them.
Thanks. My Substack is on anything I feel like writing about, including art, sex, grandmother issues and lots else besides. It's been going for about a year. I just launched a paid option, made it extremely clear (I thought) that everyone who subscribed free would get everything I wrote, also indicated that all income would be donated to a local charity for homeless people – and YET 25-30 people immediately unsubscribed. So I am very happy to have all new subscribers. And no one has to pay who doesn't want to.
By the way, if you want to get a very quick overview of my views about being old, read "All my Future is Behind Me" which someone said to me, but is the exact opposite of what I think which is what the post is about.
I love how much of your grandmother you conveyed with her words. And that pillowcase - a treasure! Both of my grandfathers died young, so I only knew my grandmothers as highly independent women taking care of themselves. Only later did I realize the impact of that. Wishing you much joy in the spring!
Thank you, Tara! I appreciate your comments and support!
Love this. She does sound like quite a special character, full of life and fun. Of course, I thought of my grandmothers as I read. I'm the same age as you, so they've been gone a long time. You've inspired me to write about them, just to remember their best qualities. Love those expressions, and that you used them at the end - I LOL'd.
Thanks, Julie! I'm so happy you read it, it was only my second post so it was mostly family reading at that time. Great - I hope you post about your grandmothers! Grandmas are such special people, it's going to be big shoes to fill, so I can use all the inspiration I can get!
OH EM GEEEE! What a great idea to make a pillow out of Helen's dresses. You were lucky to have Helen in your life.
I was a grandma young-my daughter got pregnant in college at age 20. Even though I was upset about it at the time, a baby changes everything for the better! My granddaughter is 9 now and I wouldn't change a thing. She has a new baby brother now who is only two months old. My other daughter is having another baby boy in June. It's such a beautiful time of life.
I think you have plenty of time to get that knee thing worked out. When the baby does start walking, be ready to run after him!
Thank you so much, Ilona! Yes, that pillowcase is on my list of things to grab if we ever have to evacuate for a wildfire. A couple of my relatives had babies very young also and I remember that their parents were so upset at first, but those babies were so, so loved! You've waited quite a few years for more grandkids - how sweet that the little boys will be so close in age!
I was 66 when I became a grandma, something I thought would never happen. At our age, it’s all the sweeter. At first I didn’t want to be called grandma, so my daughter proposed other names. In the end, the name grandma won out because of my Big Grandma (those grandparents were over 6’ tall while the others were 5’ tall). She sounds a little like Helen because we played Kings Corner, Go Fish, and Crazy 8s, though she didn’t give me beer because “it tastes like horse piss.” You’ll be an awesome Gma Cherie, and I can’t wait to read how this new little changes your life.
Lol, Deb! Ok, when we get a chance to meet IRL, we'll have to pull out the cards! And thank you so much! Yes, I am feeling good about it now, in addition to being excited. And I look forward to seeing how it changes my life too, and writing about it!
Hi Cherie after reading this I feel like I met Helen! It’s lovely that you have these memories. Unfortunately I have almost none for various reasons except this one time when my grandmother and I (mother’s side) sat out on a hot summer day and ate like a dozen of oranges. I remember how I enjoyed myself and yes the oranges were so juicy and sweet. I don’t eat them anymore as I am allergic to them! Coming back to your post I want to say I completely enjoyed reading it… every little bit about Helen was so interesting. Happy Birthday!! Have a great year ahead.
Thank you so much, Shital! I'm so happy you feel like you met her, she was a very special person. And I'm happy you at least have that one sweet memory of your grandmother. Thank you for reading, and for the birthday wishes!
I was 54 …still working. I didn’t like the thought, of course… too young to be called grandma..but as soon as I held her, it didn’t matter anymore. I had wonderful grandmothers…and mother too… all there to help me in the beginning. I get your concern about the other grandma, that bothered me with both kids’ children. They were working also and one lived further away. It all worked out like it was meant to.
You’re going to have the influence of your amazing Helen, she’ll guide you from above! 😊💜 Hugs
Thank you, Joan! Yes, I think once I hold him nothing else will matter. And just writing about Helen, I think she is already guiding me. And it helps to hear all the encouraging comments, so thank you!
The Melmac teacups! We actually have a whole set of these (brown ones too) along with mugs, plates & bowls that my mother in law gave us. Our kids drink milk from them everyday. We’re old parents (I had my babies at 37 & 43 and my partner is five years older) so she’s in her 80s now. I don’t know how many more years they’ll have her in their lives for (though her own mum made it to 100 so there’s longevity in the family). It’s beautiful to think of those cups bringing them back to her in their memories one day just like for you & your Grandma Helen 🥰 The very fact of this post I think makes it clear you will be a wonderful grandmother. Exciting times ahead for your whole family eh. PS my Nan was 57 when I was born and we had the most fantastic relationship till she died aged 89. Age is no barrier 😊
Thank you, Vicki! That is so cool that you have the teacups and the whole set! It is nice to think that such simple things can hold so many memories. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement!
This is such a sweet post Cherie. Congrats on this beautiful new chapter to come! Embrace your unique journey and the special bond you're about to form with your grandchild, just as “Grandma” Helen did in her own memorable way.
Thank you, Kevin! We're only a month away from his birth now, and plan to visit at the end of June so it'll be here before we know it!
Exciting! Hope your move went or is going well.
Move is probably not happening for another year, but we'll definitely visit a few times!
And thank you for the restack. I apologize for briefly calling you Gary. I was conversing with Gary also, and was momentarily brain-addled. I fixed it now. The other day, I accidentally typed "Christ" when I was referring to Chris. Need to slow down!
Haha! No problem. Our brain does weird things when we multi-task. 😀
My mom was a wonderful grandmother to my daughter, she adored her, her first grandchild, and that gave my husband and me so much joy! She was a wonderful babysitter too, we could leave our daughter with her for a weekend and she didn’t want to give her back at the end of the weekend 😂
That's wonderful, Karen! That's exactly what I hope for with our grandson!