by Irene Graham

Created on: July 02, 2007

I just got home from spending three days with my two grand children and oldest daughter.
I just wanted to share some of my experiences with my oldest daughter this weekend, which will be 41 this year. She is into scrapbooking, and has made it a habit to make one for each member of the family. She just showed me mine while we were there. It really brought tears to my eyes, and a surprize.

I was totally unaware of the love she feels for me. I'm not sure why, but never underestimate the influence you may have on your child, esp. when they are young. She made comments in my book about; "watching my beautiful mother put on her make-up before she went to work." She had many pictures in there I hadn't seen for a very long time. I didn't realize what I looked like. She even had a picture in there when I was in the hospital, and all the kids were sitting on my bed as their dad took the picture. I was really moved to see how much care she took to put each picture in just the right spot, with just the right captions on the pictures. She was even crying while I read the book. She still has some pictures to put in it, because she didn't get it quite done, but wanted to show me when we were up there.
You know they have been married for 19 years, and we all have tried for just that long to go camping together; and just now made it happen. You just don't know the joy I felt being there with my present husband, and her husband, and my grandkids.
Even my son-in-law, I had forgotten how well I really liked him. When he isn't under the stress of working and making a living, and my daughter isn't either, they, and him, are so nice. It was just a wonderful all over! It makes me also see the REAL importance of being with your family. My kids, four, were raised across the street from my Mom after my Dad died. I also didn't realize what a blessing that was for my kids. She and I talked about that as well. My Mom and I was very close, and I am with my oldest daughter. WE were talking about how nice it would be if we had houses across the street from each other. (like it was for her and her grandmother). I think it would be wonderful as well. I really didn't realize at the time how much of a blessing that was for my kids; I know I surely enjoyed my Mom so close for 19 years; but I guess I have focused on the issues around her dad and my marriage for so long, I didn't realize how much of an impression this was on my kids. We, my Mom, my kids, and her three were together every day. My two sisters are only three years older then my oldest daugther. So it was like there was 7 kids that we were raising. Any way, I guess I'm just rambling now, but take it to heart, how important it is to make the best of your childrens life, no matter how difficult it may seem at times, it is all worth it in the end. The end being working through childhood issues they have had, and knowing how to allow those children to be just your "best friends."

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