As a child and teen I envisioned my future as a wife and mother. Never was there any other career or occupation in my imagination. That’s pretty typical for SJs. We are all about family, hearth, and home. However, I never got beyond the vision of wife and mom to grandparent. My mind could not imagine that far. Such a pity! It limited the joy I was able to experience in my imagination then. (Teens don’t usually look forward to being that “old,” do they?)
Ray says he enjoys every experience he plans three times: first, when he imagines and plans the event; again when he experiences it and, finally, in his memory.
Imagination can bring great joy! Once I became the mother of adult children, though, my imagination began again and I began to enjoy imagining the times and experiences that I would share with my children as they became parents and with my grandchildren when they arrived. There is a saying that “grandchildren are your reward for being parents” or something like that. It’s true!
Now that I have 4 beautiful granddaughters, I get to experience that great honor of being a grandmother. The joy is multiplied by knowing that these little ones will be loved so deeply for the rest of their lives.
I’ll make the best of this experience as I practice Ray’s routine: enjoying as I plan my visits with them, living the visits, and remembering them!
Joy is always greater when shared. Thanks for allowing me to share mine with you!
