In Honor Of Grandparents ❤️

[CheerfulTabby22]

I wonder if anyone here has had this experience? Or if there’s any grandparents currently raising their grandchildren, maybe?

When my parents had me (I was their first child) they were awfully young. My mom was just turned eighteen. And dad was sixteen!

The story I’ve been told is that both sets of grandparents were extremely unhappy with their children!

And, my mother was of legal age, while dad wasn’t, (Though she had JUST turned eighteen) So um- technically- it was kind of illegal.

They were both super young, super into partying, etc. AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne were the background music of their lives (Although, heheh! Some of their songs aren’t bad! )

And then I was born.

And it’s kind of sweet, if you think about it- everybody was getting along again. My paternal grandfather has mentioned I was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand.

They all raised me, both sets of grandparents, and I’m pretty sure this is one reason why I’m so…old-fashioned in a couple ways, compared to my peers!

I’m so grateful for them all. It was one of those situations where the parents try, but are terribly troubled. There was a lot of fighting and fury, before the divorce. (But I love em’ both very much! )

I recall when I was very, very little- I used to walk around my maternal gramma’s house, unraveling all her colorful yarn (I thought this was just the coolest thing)

Instead of being mad, she used to sit watching me, cackling with laughter.

There are home videos of this, and of her throwing me more yarn to unravel . OH I made a mess. It’s a wonder she didn’t get upset!

Although I DO recall her saying to my gramps, “Oh God. Dave, she found the yarn.” -In one home video.

Just sweet little memories like that, life lessons and goodness and love. So much love. Enough That it made the rough stuff worthwhile!

To all the grandparents out there, God bless you (And the parents too, of course!) Thank you for all you do. The memories those children will have, will mean the world to them!

 

[ZMystiCat]

Unfortunately, I didn’t spend much time with my grandparents. I only remember visiting my dad’s parents a three times. I did spend more time with my mom’s parents, but some of that wasn’t under the best of circumstances. Actually, I’ve probably spent as much time with my step-mom’s grandparents as my mom’s by now, but I’m now on the other side of the country.

So um- technically- it was kind of illegal.

Depending on where they were, it may not have been. Some places don’t have a hard limit on 18, partially because high school would make it really awkward.

 

[CheerfulTabby22]

I’m sorry to hear that! (And That it wasn’t under the best of circumstances) I get the sense that you are a very strong person, and have been through a lot. I think my circumstances were a little unusual, in that I was kinda with the grandparents more than my parents…

You mention being on the other side of the country! Is it different over there? How do you like it? I too, would like to travel (I’ve always thought Rome would be awesome! )

Also, good point (About my parents’ ages) I hadn’t thought about that!

 

[ZMystiCat]

You mention being on the other side of the country! Is it different over there? How do you like it? I too, would like to travel (I’ve always thought Rome would be awesome! )

I think it can be hard to tell where the actual differences lie. My family lives far enough south in Florida that the culture has very noticeable influences from all the Hispanic immigrants. While California has that to an extent, it isn’t anywhere near as pronounced. I’ve also spent most of my time here living in the very wealthy tech hubs on the West Coast, and as my friend likes to joke, that’s a death sentence for culture.

The thing I have noticed are different cuisine preferences. I get more options, not just standard American ones and a bunch of different Latin American ones, particularly Cuban. With that said, I do sort of miss being able to get Cuban food on a regular basis. There’s also no real key lime pie here.