I’m learning to know my grandchildren from inside out
They tell me what they feel and think, speak my language.
Connect us deeper than words in many ways.
Grandson twelve years old
Telling about pitching the winning strike-out
“I felt good about myself, knew I could do it,
And pitched with all my fierce competitive energy.”
His grin said it all.
Granddaughter almost nine years old
Showed me a huge bag of library books
Her summer reading project.
I asked how many books could be checked out at once.
“As many as I can carry and I’m very strong.”
First job – grandson sixteen years old –
A life guard who gives swimming lessons,too.
First pay check put a big smile on his face.
No one had to guess his sense of self
Had just gone through the roof.
Little brother – grandson thirteen years old
Clung to boyhood another year.
Went off to summer camp with friends
Will spend days sailing to his heart’s content.
He’ll get serious in another year.
Grandson – also twelve years old
Spent time last year in India, birth place of his mom.
I asked what part of his adventure meant most to him.
“India is fifty percent of me” was his reply.
Deep wisdom tells him who he is.
Granddaughter ten years old
Speaks with dancing feet.
Taps out rhythms on the wooden floor,
Floats with graceful ballerina arms
Reminds me of when I was a little girl.
poetrybyheart.me 
It’s wonderful the way you’ve shown us how these experiences are helping your grandchildren emerge into themselves.
Thanks, Andrea .
Your Grands sound wonderful! Enjoyed hearing about them. ❤
Thanks, Colleen. I love being their grandmother. 🙂
I think that is the best job too. ❤
Thanks for introducing me to your grandchildren!
You’re welcome, Karuna.
So tender and heartwarming without being overly sentimental. Adored this one!
Thanks. I don’t intend to be sentimental ever. Loving, yes.