Grandchildren

My wife and I consider time with our grandchildren to be one of our most important investments in retirement. We intentionally moved to the midwest to be close to five of our six grandkids. Unfortunately one granddaughter lives in California.

We want to have fun with them, sure, but we want to invest in their lives also. So we go to their games, concerts, and school programs to let them know that they are loved and supported. I have sports days with the boys where we try to play as many sports as we can in one day, including the sport of pigging out at a local restaurant. My wife has garden and craft days with the girls, including an online craft camp with the girl in California.

I have been sending daily encouraging text messages to the two oldest grandsons. We have deep conversations with each child to understand them more and offer some sage advice.

All of this takes a lot of time, but we enjoy the immediate joy and the potential for long-term positive impact on their lives. It is fun to watch your grandson run for a long touchdown or dominate a robotics competition. It is also a joy to watch your granddaughter sing her heart out at a school play.

These investments are worth the effort as we watch them grow up to be fine men and women.

Proverbs 5:1-2 says, “My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.”