I’ve mentioned a dozen times before that my family lives a version of the extended-family lifestyle particularly with my parents. Thirteen years ago I bought a house only two miles from my parents. While that might be too close for some people it’s worked well for us over the years.
My parents enabled me to work full-time by being before- and after-school care for the boys. They have authorization to take the kids to the doctor, dentist, and eye doctor. They’ve been to countless sporting events, school concerts, and awards programs. Many times they’ve gone in my stead when I couldn’t get off from work. My father has offered advice that’s actually been heeded. My mother has cooked hundreds of meals and given thousands of hugs.
To say that I wouldn’t have survived my divorce and single-motherhood without their help is an understatement.
In return, the boys and I have mowed their lawn and cleaned their pool over the years. Assisted in DIY tasks including painting several rooms in the house. Watered plants and collected mail while they were on vacation. Held hands and offered moral support in surgical waiting rooms.
But most importantly, I think the boys have helped keep my parents young in the heart… which is an awesome thing to witness.
During the summer of 2002, while I was still duking it out with my soon-to-be-ex-husband, my parents took the boys on a vacation. It was a wonderful break for me and a huge bonding experience for the four of them. They rode the car train from Orlando to Washington D.C. In DC they visited the Smithsonian, rode on the Metro, and visited Mount Vernon over the course of a few days. Then they drove to New Jersey to visit my brother’s family. After a few days there they drove to Chicago to visit my aunt. In Chicago they went to the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and the Shedd Aquarium. Finally, they returned to Florida.
I’ll have you know that of all those places I’ve only been to Mount Vernon and my brother’s house.
Yesterday my parents started talking about taking another train trip in the spring. Maybe a trip to the Grand Canyon? G-Man casually asked the grandparents if he could go along too. (I haven’t been to the Grand Canyon either.) Next thing anyone knows the three of them are planning a trip during spring break. Today I was asked cautious questions about international travel and getting G-Man a passport.
I only have two questions:
- Who are these people?
- Why didn’t I have such cool grandparents?
8 comments:
I'd love to know anyone that cool! We're all a bunch of non-traveling uncool old farts.
I think it comes with the title. My parents, especially my father do things with and for the grandchildren, that makes us ask the same question. Kinda cOol to stand back and watch it happen.
I've always loved the relationship you have with your parents and in turn that the boys have had. I would love to have that with my family. And your parents are the coolest anyway.
BTW I've never seen the Grand Canyon either. So i want to come along too. Please.
This is awesome...I did not have that kind of relationship with my grandparents and neither do my kids. Your parents and your children are very fortunate indeed! Props to your folks! Can they adopt me?! I'm a little old but I can try really hard to look younger!
You are so lucky to have such wonderful, hands-on parents. It's a true treasure for you and your family, I imagine.
That's soooo cool. My mother-in-law probably has the means to do that sort of thing with my kids when they're older, and I really hope she does.
(Long time lurker, first time commenter)
Bill Cosby says that grandparents are not the same people who raised you, they are "old people, trying to get into heaven!"
How lucky your boys are that your 'rents are so involved in their lives. I never really knew my grandparents, living so far away from them.
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