The biggest downside about living in southwestern Ohio, all things considered, is being a long distance from my parents. We do believe that Cincinnati is a good place to be a kid, for the many trees and birds, lovely museums, good book stores, lots of happy kids, great parks, a few cool galleries, a nice aquarium, integrated neighborhoods, a few fantastic schools, etc. But it is so far from my parents, who are two of the most excited and committed grandparents that I have ever met.
I have so many memories of visiting my Grandpa Stu and Grandma Kay in Sacramento. My Grandpa roasted holiday turkeys and played board games with us at night. My Grandma Kay taught me how to paint and drove me numerous times to the mall (which was so exciting to us country kids!).
My Grandpa Don and Grammee March lived a stone's throw away in Carmichael. They had an apricot tree by the side of their house and a back yard full of geese and tortoises. My Grammee paid for me to take violin lessons from Kindergarten to 8th grade. I played a short saxophone concert for my Grandpa Don in 4th grade (I was so nervous that I insisted on playing in a different room so that he wouldn't see me!).
My parents drove us up to the Sacramento area very often- it felt like once a month. My brothers and I loved the chance to get extra popsicles and play in their front yards. Being around our grandparents was sometimes preferable to being with our parents! (and I'm sure my parents liked having the break, too)
Soren has only been able to visit with my parents a handful of times, and since my parents both work full time, it's hard for them to up and visit at the blink of an eye. But when they are able to fly out (as they did in November), it's hard to tell who is having more fun: them or Soren.
My dad loves reading books to Soren. My mom loves it when Soren shares his toys with her. It's incredibly great for me to see them love my son so much, and of course, it's so great for Soren. He just lights up and comes alive, bounding from Grandpa to Grandma and back. When he has all four of us as an audience, he looks like the happiest kid in the world.
When my parents do come to visit, I realize what a blessing it is when parents become grand-parents. It isn't something they eased into, or had to be talked into. They were immediate, wonderful, excited grandparents. And they love Soren more and more each time they see him. After a visit, they will call me up the next day to tell me how much they miss him and how they wish they could be out here closer. I think Soren wishes they could be here too.
My parents are such a blessing to me, and continue to be a blessing as i am a new dad. They've been a wonderful encouragement to me and Lisa alike, and their love is infectious. Even though they live so far away, I feel very lucky to have parents like them so invested in my new family.
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