Never did I think I could possibly love any other human beings as much as I love my own children. Never, that is, until my first grandchild was born. From the moment my grandson was placed in my arms, he was loved, completely, by me. And I was in total wonder, at the depth of feeling that tiny newborn roused within my heart. Exactly the same, was my experience, with the birth of each of my grandchildren. Three times I have had an instant, intense, emotional bond form with the birth of the 'Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh'.

Have these human beings' births brought about within me, some mystical hint at the continuation of my own life, in some manner, the which I've yet been able to perfectly define? Could this be the reason for such instantaneous, unconditional love? Perhaps. It is certain, when I look upon each of my grandchildren, I take exceptional pride in the fact I played a part in their 'being'. As well, I, as a Grandmother, have played a part in influencing their personal development in more ways than I knew, or could have imagined. I have, in effect, had an important impact on their lives, without conscious realization of the fact. I have merely loved them, and have felt fortunate to share my time, my caring, my 'self', with them.

One of the first inklings I had, of how my grandchildren viewed me, was brought home to me by my eldest grandson. At the age of nine, he completed a certain school project. This project was a simple collage, all about him. As part of the project, his picture was taken, standing before his collage. I was presented with this picture, by my daughter, who told me she had been certain I would want the honor of possession. I recall the first time I viewed the snapshot, she immediately drew my attention to an area of the collage, just over my grandson's right shoulder. There, plainly in view, were words printed on a cutout of construction paper. The words read,
'A Person I Most Admire'

My Grandma Schenewerk

No other accolade, no other life achievement, could ever touch me so deeply, or reward me more fully, as that singular title bestowed upon me by my grandson.
--Jeannine Schenewerk

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