yes, i am of the praying kind but i don't pray for the outcome, i pray for the immediate peace it brings me. it reduces the anxiety, calms my mind, and enables me to get out of an ever circling loop of thoughts that can be tough to break. and you know those kinds of thoughts are never positive, only negative.

and yes, you do deserve this, if only as payback for all those years of beating yourself up. even with as little as i know of your situation aren't you tired of that? besides which, i think you'll get a lot more out of being dad and granpop than you will out of hating yourself. i know it's tough, and it will take time, but let the hope crowd out the fear and "you be aight".

sorry, i am in the middle of a love and hip hop atlanta jag

 

Just a matter of days now! She'll be in town Saturday evening. I will be home around midnight. Sunday... I get to watch the kids BY MYSELF for a few hours while she picks her boyfriend up at the airport in Charlotte. My parents will be out of town! [Long story.] So.... it's ALL on me! Yikes!

Monday, we leave for the beach.

Whatever made me think I could handle all of this at one time.... and so suddenly?

 

babysitting a 4 and 6 year old for a few hours with no experience, good lord man what were you thinking!???

here's what i did when my oldest grandson was 3. when his parents were getting ready to leave, my husband and i jumped up with them and said come on were going too. outside his parents got into their car, the three of us got into our car, and we took off down the road. then my husband and i took a different turn and drove straight for the nearest play park. he never knew what hit him and after the initial confusion had a ball playing on everything, mainly because we played with him instead of letting him play by himself. it took his mind off of his parents not being there. well that and the ice cream we got later.

remember, distraction plus time and attention are your friends.

 

I can sort of relate to you.

My father was a violent alcoholic when we were growing up. When I was about 12 or 13 years of age (around 2001) my father took aim and threatened to shoot me with his 12 gauge Mossberg (I kid you not) and he ended up getting in big trouble. 10 years or so later he finally found me on Facebook (around 2010) and he asked for my forgiveness. I forgave him and we began to talk. Turns out he was no longer in Southern California, but up in Washington by Seattle. We kept in touch for a couple of years and planned on meeting up after a decade of not seeing each other but last October, a week after my birthday, he died of respiratory failure at age 47.

Moral of the story: Time won't wait. If you truly want to be a part of your daughter's life - do it!

 

I already know I'm dumber than a 5th grader.

 

Just kidding! Mission accomplished.... no casualties!

First... about last Sunday: What was supposed to be a FEW hours turned into about 9! lol. I had to go down to Charlotte to babysit them, cuz the pool was closed at the hotel she had booked here in Salisbury. The kids LOVE to swim, and out of a 6 day trip to get here.... the pools were closed the first three, and on the fourth, it was no bigger than a bathtub! So.... in a blink of an eye all plans were changed and she spent Sat/Sun nights in Charlotte. So... I got down there about 11 and she got everyone ready for the pool and while they were drowning me... she took off to get Aaron (her boyfriend.) We were only supposed to swim for about an hour or less... then get ready for the 3:10 (standard) showing of EPIC. She was supposed to be back not long after it was over and we would all go to dinner. I still needed to get back and do some laundry and pack for the beach.

"Catch me! No, catch me! Catch me next! Catch me again!" ...as they made hundreds of "touch and go's" from the edge of the pool into my arms. "Spin me with two legs! Now, spin me with one leg. Now one leg and one arm. Now, spin both of us at once!" Do you know how much water resistance two chubby little kids generate? "Grandpa Dennis needs to go sit and rest a few minutes." "NOooo! Spin me one more time, now catch me!" It went on and on for nearly two hours!

So we went to a later (3-D) showing of EPIC. That was cool! My first ever 3-D movie. Of course... I'm a little shaky on the final dramatic moment when good wins out over evil, cuz.... Lana had to pee! I'd been warned NOT to make her wait.... so.... off we went. Luckily... it was right across the hall from our theater. Two small popcorns and 3 Powerade drinks.... $24! Are you kidding me? lol!

So.... back at the hotel and daughter notified we were hungry and waiting for her return. But.... Aaron was having a great time in Charlotte (and it was important for her that he liked the place enough to move there,) so.... we'll be home soon! All I can say is an hour or two of Bubble Gumpies had me crying for more of the previous few hours of Dora the Explorer! Aaargh! Lucky for me, there was pizza in the fridge. When she finally got back around 9:30(?) I beat feet back home and crashed (without dinner.)

Next day, about noon, it was off to the beach! Won't bore you with all the details, but.... the place was nice and the weather was mostly overcast. We only made it TO the beach one afternoon, and the next we/they swam in the pool at the resort. The next day... she took them to hand them off to their dad for the summer, and we "adults" decided to stay an extra night by ourselves. Ta Da..... enter Tropical Storm Andrea! lol. The final morning, the three of "us" went back to the beach for awhile looking for sharks teeth... and got pelted by sand and salt water being blown at gale force winds! Then to Duffy's for oysters on the halfshell, crab legs and a beer or two before parting ways for THIS trip.

It was there that I heard final confirmation of what she had been alluding to for several days.... that she had had a GREAT time and a Great vacation! In fact, I learned it was the first one she had taken without HER parents along.... and the first one with her new boyfriend. Of course... it was also OUR first vacation ever, too! She was genuinely appreciative of all I had done to make this happen for all of them/us. And, that made it all worthwhile!

It was a short (only) 4 night vacation... but, it was a total success in spite of the stormy weather. The kids were great the whole time, and I don't think I made a single misstep! Didn't get as many pics as I would have liked... but, enough to make memories. On the final day with the kids, we stopped by one of those Mega Souvenir stores and (sort of) turned them loose!

I realize none of this seems special to those of you who've had so many of these opportunities with your families.... but, for me.... it was a dream come true!

Was glad to get home.... but, can't wait to do it all again!

Two small groups of pics on my facebook page if anyone wants to see them: https://www.facebook.com/dennis.harris.9480?ref=tn_tnmn

 

I am glad that you had a good time. They look like they were having a great time.

 

Quick addendum:

Unbeknownst to me (until yesterday) on the night before she took the kids to their dad, Aaron proposed to her! My daughter is engaged (again.) I know it won't happen... but, I sure wish it would be MY turn to "give her away" this time!

 

It's been 2 months since your last update, Anything new happening?

 

Hobo just left us hanging. We need an update, hobo. Hopefully, things are still moving along well.