For those of you who know Deb Bryan over at TMiYC (The Monster in Your Closet), you know she uses anagrams that capture people (Li’l D, Ba.D, BFF), her website (TMiYC), and thoughts (FTIAT). Her use of these made me think of my world and TG4UM (Thank Goodness 4 Unlimited Minutes).
Daughter #1 is a single mom out in CA. She and her son made the move out there last year after living with us for several years. You can only imagine how hard it was for us to be separated from her and our grandson. However, her new home makes her very happy. She and our grandson are never at a loss for what to do over the weekend in their beautiful surroundings.
They can take to the coast and beaches.
Our grandson can scoot his heart away on his scooter along the sidewalks and piers.
Or, they can go to the canyons and mountains.
The air is fresh and cool. We are glad they are so happy out there. And it makes for a nice visit when we can make it out there.
While they have been gone, my grandson and I have developed a routine of having a long nightly visit on the cell phone. TG4UM. I set my phone and she sets her cell phone to speaker. I ask him about his day. I ask him where he’s sitting or lying down. I read a chosen storybook or stories, riddles and jokes from the stacks of Highlights collected years ago. My daughter dials us up and she enjoys half an hour or so to herself knowing he is talking to grandma. After I read to him, I ask him to read me a story or something of his own choosing. Usually we talk about what each other has read or we talk about how that story reminds us of something. We play “Questions” about each others’ story. I remind him of the pictures and I ask him questions about the pictures I know he remembers. How wonderful it is to hear him read the same storybooks I used to read to him. He loves The Magic School Bus series. So it goes…non reader, toddler and preschool years have evolved to early reader of familiar and favorite stories.
I guess we could do Skype…but I’m going to save that for later when the time is right. It’s wonderful that he listens without all the visual stimuli…just the pictures he sees in his mind…and he’s not bored yet. Our voices and the words are what connect us now. My daughter says he loves these phone calls and they put him right to sleep after we hang up. Happiness is unlimited minutes.
Is there an Awesome Grandma Award? If not, I’m making one up and it goes to you – would you prefer a trophy or a crown?
You know I just want them closer. 🙂
how sweet. no doubt the miles that separate you are rough. thank goodness for technology of all kinds…
Thank goodness it’s working so far.
Amen!!! It’s so important to have such close connections to our grandchildren. My granddaughter just turned 2 and read the word FARM on the box we sent her containing a puzzle with Farm Animals. I think she has the love of reading already!!
I’m so proud of your very SMART granddaughter! 🙂
Crazy aszxsxsxsxsxxd (that was our daughter typing) old connected world that we live in. I subscribe to MaggieCakes and I adore the name Georgette and so clicked on your blog and then saw reference to The Monster in Your Closet, and the circle continues…as Deb liked one of wild & grace’s (my) posts on Caring for Children, just this week. I love connection even if it is in cyber-space.
Nice. ♥
I love that you are keeping your connection with your grandson across the miles. I know how hard it is when they move away.
Am I selfish to just want them here? I’m trying to love it.
I don’t think it’s selfish. I think that’s the nature of love.
My daughter loves her job with the school district she is in, however at times I wish I could help her more with him, i.e. doctor appts., babysitting, chill time.
Sweetness. I love that he loves the phone calls… 🙂
How long will it last? Faith keeps me going.
Oh, how you make me cry!! This is such a precious tradition y’all have established nightly … priceless moments shared between a grandmother & her grandson, meaning equally the same to you both. I love this – I love your posts – I loved the binocular story but can’t find it to post on it! You’re an amazing author, Georgette … keep blogging!
I goofed and uploaded the wrong one first…was multi-tasking…translation on the phone with grandson’s mama and trying to post at the same time…not good…won’t do that again…I’ll put it back up on Thursday. lol
The cycle of your rich history continues Georgette. Your grandson will remember this time with you – albeit on the phone – as long as he lives. This grandma/grandson time is so touching – you are doing your son a great service. A true labor of love.
Might I suggest the book, The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma. If you research the book, you’ll know why I suggested it.
Thank you, Lenore Diane, I will have to find it.
You are closer to him now than many grandmothers are living right in the same town as their grandchildren. You’re awesome!
I know you understand. Do you have 1 or 2?
I have two granddaughters, one 9, the other 13. My daughter writes about them all the time on her blog (mypajamadays.com). I loved the one she wrote about the nine-year-old today.
I thought you had mentioned granddaughters and that you have two. How nice you can share blogging with your daughter and that she is a writer too! How very special that is. I will scoot on over and read that precious post.
Oh, that is the sweetest post. Made me tear up, Georgette! You are an incredible g-ma. I recently tried to skype with my brother and niece who live in Oregon and loved it. My kids kept showing their cousin their fave toys and they showed us their new house. Technology can be a good thing. Still miss them terribly though, of course! 🙂
Right now I wonder how I can be grandma to a dozen…because he is pretty close to the center of my world right now despite the miles. Can’t wait for Christmas and Thanksgiving already. Once we’re out of Texas, we’re halfway there. Goodness from Maine to Oregon, that is thousands of miles. We will have to try Skype…but he doesn’t miss it…although he knows about it from his friends.
Even though your grandson is many miles from you, you are making precious memories that he will (and you) will always remember. You earn my vote for Most Awesome Grandmother. 🙂
It’s amazing the things we talk about. And all the questions. Some folks have dinner conversation, we’re getting after dinner and before bed conversation.
Georgette–I’m teary reading your post. What a gift you have given him already! You’ve built a foundation for him that will he’ll always remember and treasure. You are my role model! Now, if I only had a grandchild…:) But you’ve shown the power of words and reading–what age did you begin with him over the phone?
I can’t wait to share books with mine as well. SO special.
Grandchildren will come when it’s the right time. We have been reading on the phone since school started last year after they moved out there. We’ve only missed a few times when they have been out late, on a trip or it’s a holiday. He was 7 then. We start at 9:30 my time, 7:30 his time and usually lasts 20″ – 30″. I plan to start chapter books when school starts again after Labor Day.
How sweet and generous of you to spend the loving time and support with your grandson… I love the pictures you added. CA is beautiful and I miss the endless sunshine and gorgeous landscape… TY for stopping by blog. 🙂
Eliz
I’m glad I met you through Deb’s blog. I loved your double decker bus post and remember taking buses and metros in Mexico, France and Spain. Although I’m still teaching, it’s only two classes so I have time to spend with him each night. I’m so glad my daughter is on board with this, in a manner of speaking.
This is so sweet, Georgette. How wonderful to have this time of day to look forward to – both you & your grandson! I’m sure it ends the day perfectly for both of you…
His bedtime is soon after our call ending around 8:00 his time, and 10:00 for me. It is a nice end of the day. I keep things stacked by my bed so they’re ready to read when the phone rings. Thank you for visiting.
Oh – and the photos are gorgeous!
I’m definitely a TG4S person (thank goodness for Skype), though back before it had video. Right after I finished my undergrad I went to Thailand for almost a year and Skype was instrumental in my relationship surviving the distance! Cute post and great pics!
Thank you for visiting. This is my grandma “hat”. I do need to check into Skype. btw I had my first web meetings with online students this week and I think they went great. YES! Technology…one add on at a time.
This is a lovely post! I have a brother who lives in Europe and other family and friends who live far away. The phone is an absolute lifeline for keeping in touch with them all. If I’m holding the receiver I feel it’s quite an intimate way of communicating. Like they’re whispering thoughts into my ear.
Love speaker phone, that way it’s hands free…my arm doesn’t get tired and I can turn the pages of the storybook easily. Yes, I do need to try Skype to show him the pictures…but he doesn’t complain and he can answer my questions, so I know he’s listening.
Great communication!
I’m so lucky they have kept this up. If they go out or if Rick and I are out, we can’t do it…but it’s usually 7 times a week but sometimes 5…still pretty often for us to keep in touch.
Your relationship with your grandson is an inspiration to us all. There’s so much love in this post. I’m happy to hear that they’re having a great time in California. I miss those endless recreational activities this state has to offer. TG4uM is priceless. I’ve been using skype for overseas call- works great. I’m glad you got to use the pic. One day when his older, he will get to enjoy this post and look back how lucky he is to have you. God bless you always. Love the post.
Last night we did not read as they have plans this long weekend. I’ll resume again Monday night, the night before school starts and I’m planning a very special story for that important day before the first day of school. At 7:30 PM like clockwork the phone will ring. My husband knows when the phone rings at that time who it is. We both love it, and my husband sneaks in a word or two too.
fantastic Georgette!! I am sure your grandson really appreciates these special times. I know it must be really hard to be so far apart (I have all my family back in South Africa). I am goning to share this post with a friend of mine whose grandson lives in South Africa too. Altho he is only 17months now, I am sure she will identify with this and perhaps it will give her some ideas for when he is older.
regards
Cindy
@notjustagranny
What fun to see you here also. I’m glad you can share with someone who is also feeling the miles apart. One must be creative and make the effort to stay in touch.
Side note: My childhood friend who I met when I was 8 eventually married a South African when she was in her 20’s. We stayed in touch. I visited her here in the States when she visited her parents, we e-mailed, exchanged letters,cards and even some phone calls. However, I haven’t heard from her since 2008. I’m so sorry to lose touch. It would be so wonderful if she could find the blog.
Hi Georgette –
I wish you had been my grandma when I was little!
Peace,
Sherry
Thank you for reading and commenting. Your travel pictures are beautiful. All the shades, tones of green and textures at the park you visited are taken from a photographer’s eye. Gorgeous!
I don’t know how I missed this post before, but I’m glad I had a chance to visit now. I think it’s even sweeter for having met you and yours since you wrote this. Made me smile for so many reasons. ♥
Update: D1 and GS1 have moved back to TX. They arrived on Thanksgiving Day! Don’t know when I’ll return to the west coast, but so glad we seized the moment meeting back in May.