I heard this saying that has always stuck in my mind since I became a grandmother:
“What should you leave to your grandchildren when you are dead? Only what you leave in their head.”
I agree with this, and it is this idea that has moved me from a small town girl to a 21st century grandmother who blogs (I blog! Who would have thought?!).
I raised my family in Honolulu, Hawaii. I was a widowed in my 40s. I moved to the mainland with my daughters as a widow and eventually on to a second marriage, which formed a second family, a blended family. I have had a variety of experiences—good and bad—from traveling to all continents and having close friends in 56 countries, to being a cancer survivor and a car accident survivor, to having a suicide in the family and going through unexpected family turmoil, to being a charity volunteer and enjoying the many interesting facets of life to include: my husband, Shelly; my family; my dog, Orchid; and of course, my 15 grandchildren who call me Honey.
My life is a mixture of the bitter and the sweet, the joys and the mishaps, the good and the bad, and throughout it all I have lived a life of values my parents taught me, which has always proved to land me on my feet. I always see the glass half full and make lemonade out of lemons. This is what I teach my grandchildren through the set of values that make up the recipe of Gramma Good.
It is this idea that has led me to a life change brought on by a writer’s comment to me: “Start writing. Keep a journal.”
I replied, “I cannot write. I am not a writer.”
And then the important five words were uttered… “You will find your voice.”
I made my decision! I would try. My husband encouraged me. My plan was to write for three months everyday no matter where I was. From Russia to Normandy to Paris and London, in the car or on the plane, in a hotel room or at home, I wrote. Each day I wasn’t sure what I would write, but it always came to me! My life’s journey gives me firsthand topics each day. After three months of writing . . .
I found my purpose and my passion!
I kept coming back to being Gramma. This blog gives me a chance to document what I hope to “leave in their head.” I blog as Gramma Good, which is actually my real name believe it or not. But this blog is not just about me. No matter where you come from, we all have one thing in common: We are Grandmothers—the Matriarch of the Family. This blog is about and for all of us—the community of grammas everywhere who hope to leave something with their grandchildren—their wisdom that will last a lifetime. Monetary gifts are great, but it is wisdom that stays in their mind. That is the ultimate keepsake.
I know that I have no celebrity title and no writing degree. It is not important, because I am GRAMMA GOOD and I GET IT! My degree is in life. GRAMMAS GET IT and this blog will honor the community of grammas the world over. I hope that it will be a daily conversation and meeting place for all of us!
Do something GOOD today: Contact me to share your stories!
