What being a grandparent means to me.

Today is Grandparents’ Day, and Bob and I can not express how blessed we are to have five grandchildren. Truly, our hearts are full of love that is difficult to articulate. Being part of the memories our adult children are creating with their children is such an honor and blessing.

We want to respect our adult children as they parent their little ones. Life is different from when Bob and I were raising our children. Both Ashley’s and Kory’s families have very busy and sometimes demanding lives. They are busy navigating life and don’t have the luxury of stepping in and out of their parenting roles. I think that is what makes grandparenting so different.

When our first grandchild was born, my son asked me, “Is it true that parents love their grandchildren more than their children?”

I said, “No, that isn’t true. As grandparents, we get to experience moments that we didn’t fully appreciate as parents because we were busy navigating life.”

My daughter-in-love shared something she learned through her reading: parents spend more years with their children as adults than they do with them as little ones. I love that she appreciates this season of parenting, knowing that these early years are only a small splash in the ocean of memories her children will experience throughout their lives.

Both of our children’s spouses are truly their “better halves,” and Bob and I want only to be a source of encouragement. We believe it is a true privilege to pray for them daily—not as a way of judging them, but by asking that the Kingdom of Heaven would open over them, blessing, protecting, and equipping them with everything they need to navigate their daily lives. We pray that they would experience the goodness of God, know that He is truly love, and understand what that means.

Ensley, Ada, “E”, Leighton, and “T”, our precious grandchildren, Papa and Gigi, are so blessed to be part of your memories and your lives.

We are deeply grateful for the privilege and joy of being grandparents!