The Legacy of Love

Loving your grandchildren now will have a powerful influence on the kind of person they will grow up to become. Loving your grandchildren doesn’t mean that you have to buy expensive gifts! Ultimately, the best demonstration of love you can provide is by your presence and involvement in your grandchildren’s lives. Give them the gift of yourself! This is possible even when you’re not physically present through phone, notes, emails and the like. Love is powerful! Loving your grandchildren will make a lifelong difference! Never underestimate the power of a grandparent’s love!

Health ~ a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

A new study out of Australia suggests that grandparents who look after their grandchildren at least once a week could be less likely to develop Alzheimer's???? What, WOW, Okay, so.....is this information we all need to pass along to B&B? ....Sure!... Babysitting my grandchildren is good for my physical and mental health. So next time B&B need to do errands, grab a cup of coffee, or go grocery shopping, remember the health of your parents and drop off the kids with us!.

In all seriousness, I think this is pretty amazing research,....keeping the mind and body active are great for our overall health. ~

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14

Nurture ~ the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something:

Why do I feel that being a grandparent is an important role in my life?

I believe that I as a grandparent, I am my grandchildren’s strongest connection to family heritage. I am free from the day-to-day parenting, so I am able to provide a special time of uninterrupted play. Brooklyn and Gabriel especially enjoy hearing about what Brandon was like when he was little. By telling fun family stories and singing silly songs, I am a treasure trove of happy memories, actively passing down my family heritage to these curious little ones. I think, and I “hope” that Brooklyn, Gabriel and soon Ethan, will love to spend time with me…. because I make them feel like they are the center of attention and there is no one else more special to me.  I think B&B like knowing that they’re children aren’t just with a “babysitter,” but that time with me is a special time in which they are learning more about they’re family stories and unique value system.

Why do I feel my grandchildren are so important and special to me?

My grandchildren represent the future to me. I want to share my legacy with them and enrich them as they grow up, experience special time together. Of course, I like spoiling them in a way that I never would have imagined doing with my own children. I believe it goes back to me not having to be as involved in the day-to-day parenting, so my time with grandchildren is all about fun. Spoiling isn’t necessarily about material things.
 The lyrics of that song “Nobody Loves Me Like My Grandma”  -  convey this sense of indulgence: “Mama makes me eat oatmeal for breakfast, but grandma lets me eat ice cream!  

A seven-year old girl said about her grandmother: " she is old on the outside but she acts like she's young on the inside" - Love it~ she sure hit the nail on the head.!

Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Psalms 144:12 (NIV)

Gratitude ~ thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation, emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

I read recently that “ people who are more grateful have higher levels of well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Grateful people have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self-acceptance”.

Reflecting on the past few weeks, I find myself more grateful than ever. A new daugther-in-law, a new grandson (now one), and life feels pretty awesome right now. It seems that although gratitude is always beneficial, it’s not always easy. When you’re discouraged or overwhelmed, it’s probably not on your radar to thank God. But I’ve learned from experience that shifting focus and thanking the Lord for all he’s done is the fastest way to change one’s attitude and re-energize.

Life is filled with situations and distractions that keep us from seeing all that God has done for us. Try refocusing on the Lord by thanking Him for His past provision, guidance, and faithfulness. Recently my son married the girl of his dreams. He has waited patiently for her, as we all have. God is faithful!

When we bring our concerns to the Lord with thanksgiving, the burden shifts to Him, and His peace comes to us.

Gratitude is the best way to dig ourselves out of the doldrums of discouragement.

When we experience difficulties in life, gratitude can help us cope in a more positive way. It’s regarded as a virtue that shapes not only emotions and thoughts but actions and deeds as well.

I do believe that finding gratitude in all things can bring peace and happiness. It is all in our perspective. See the glass half full, lead a longer healthier life. Could it be that having gratitude could produce positive emotions that have physical benefits? I believe so.

God doesn’t need our thanks, but we need to give it so we can become what He wants us to be: unselfish, encouraged, and confident.


Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.