Why Becoming Grandpa Is Like Getting a Complete Life Reboot
Our family was blessed with our first grandchild just over nine months ago. John Jeffrey – named after both my son-in-law’s late father and me – is his official name. His street name is Johnny.
Grandpa Love: Finding Joy in Every New Moment
Joanne and I have always had grand dogs throughout our forty-plus years raising our family. We loved them all dearly, and word had it that people wanted to come back in their next life as a Burgess dog. And who could blame them? Over an acre of doggy play space in the back yard, special meat treats as toppers in their breakfast and dinner bowls, and the run of the house. Never a couch or chair that they did not like to sleep in.
Thus, we have had decades of experience loving four-legged creatures; now we get the chance to do the same with a two-legged one. The good news is that Johnny and his parents live in the Lakeview area of Chicago, roughly two blocks from Wrigley Field. As Joanne and I are approximately twenty miles from Lakeview, in the northern suburbs of Chicago, we have been able to balance our Johnny visits around the Cubs’ road schedule, although we do get to see him at home at least once a month.
Our daughter, Lizzie, brought Johnny to see us last Sunday, and we all had a fun time, especially Johnny, who was playing with baby toys, floating in a baby tube in our indoor pool, and hanging out in Grandma’s lap. Grandma generously DOES allow me to hold him in ten-to-fifteen-minute intervals. I love seeing her eyes sparkle when she is merely looking at him.
It’s been an amazing journey watching the development of newborn Johnny into an eight-month-old. He’s like a little man, chomping down on formula bottles that he holds in both hands, and now experimenting with new baby foods like crushed pumpkin, peaches, and applesauce, and most recently, animal crackers and chicken nuggets.
Grandpa is just waiting patiently to make him his first steak. Think of it as a rite of passage. The over/under is four years, eight months old. I am doing all I can to be around still to grill it and serve it!
Funny how important milestones in life impact the commitment to our goals.
Grandpa Moments That Remind You What Family Really Means
Amongst the greatest pleasures of having a grandchild is realizing what wonderful parents your kids turn out to be. Both Michael and Lizzie are so dedicated to parenthood. Watching our daughter naturally morph into being a mother has truly been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Truthfully, you would never know she was a first-time mom. That maternal instinct all comes so naturally to her. Obviously, from the Joanne gene pool.
Being a grandfather gives me the chance to “do it all over again.” Among my most special times was playing with the three kids when they were mere toddlers and watching them grow and learn. I am hoping this is déjà vu all over again! If my knees hold out, that is. And my heart, too, for that matter. But my heart these days is fuller than ever.
Watching Johnny grow is a daily adventure for Joanne and me. We are blessed with pictures from our daughter every morning of Johnny’s first moments of that day, before he goes off to daycare, two blocks from his home.
They have cameras there, too, streaming the video 24/7. Lizzie and Michael share those with us as well. At just over nine months old, it’s incredible seeing him interact with others his age – just not quite his size. The daycare center does an excellent job of keeping all the kids’ days full, from neighborhood trips to supervised field trips to Lincoln Park Zoo.
When Johnny gets home from the two-block stroller ride back from daycare, Joanne and I always get pictures and a summary of his day. We know how his first ten minutes back at home are going to be spent chomping down a whole bottle of formula. Even that had been a transition: from Mom and Dad holding the bottle for him to him holding it himself with both hands, occasionally using only one. When we say, “he’s a beast!” it’s with absolute love.
The Little Rituals That Make a Family Feel Whole
And with purpose, watching Johnny grow. It is even more fun watching all this through Joanne’s eyes, which does tend to be difficult, what with her crying every time she sees and/or holds him. But I’ll take that blurry second-hand impeccable vision every chance I get!
Johnny’s existence had allowed me a whole new full-time career as Grandpa, whose purpose is to spoil his grandson. Anyone betting against that happening? I didn’t think so.
Our dogs may still have the run of the house; Johnny has the run of our hearts. As do Johnny’s uncles – Alexander and Max. It truly IS a family affair.
And the family is unanimous here; Lizzie and Michael are wonderful parents. Makes my being Grandpa all that much better and easier!
All I have to do is love him. Done!
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To learn about this entire journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Also available now in audiobook format!
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