I recently uploaded a video to my YouTube channel with the purpose of baking gingerbread with my grandchildren. Although we are apart during this pandemic and because of distance, I continue to look for ways to connect with all of my grandchildren in a meaningful way-to somehow reach through time and distance in order to continue special traditions or to start new ones while using what devices and methods available to us. They can’t be with me and stir the batter in my kitchen, whip the cream, or smell the spicy sweet aroma of gingerbread baking. So instead Gramps and I sent a box of Betty Crocker Gingerbread cake and cookie mix to each household. Three in all. I had envisioned the grandchildren baking right along with me as I was with them virtually in their kitchens. I was not disappointed.
My husband and I married later in life. We both have children from previous marriages. He has a daughter, and I have a daughter and a son. We have seven grandchildren between us. Each of our kids have married some great people and we love them all. We are so very lucky. But as I write about daughters or sons in law, my focus for this blog entry is about my husband’s daughter, Selena. I wonder if she knows how much it means to me that she took the time to set up the needed ingredients, played the video so our Rhea was cooking right along with me, and then texted me photos of the cooking session along with commentary.
For example that Rhea, like her Gramps, chose ice cream on her gingerbread instead of the whipped cream. Or that she couldn’t quite get why I wasn’t able to talk with her on the video in real time as we do when we Facetime. This kindness of sharing Rhea’s experience with the gingerbread was so meaningful to me.
We grandparents, and most likely the grandmothers of the world, are crazy head over heels in love with our grand kids. We need them like we need air and water. We love them fiercely. It defies logic. But there is nothing logical about love. In our enthusiasm this is where we can overstep boundaries and annoy our adult children or our spouse’s children, and whenever this happens we are sorry. Thank you for the photos, the phone calls, the news about what’s happening in your lives, and for humoring us with this need for connection. It’s important. Thank you for treating it as such. And keep those photos coming! We can’t get enough. Sending lots of love to all the parents. Thank you for the joy. We can’t wait to hug you again.
Here is the original video on YouTube-Grandma Bakes Gingerbread
Molly,
I love these photos of Rhea following along with your gingerbread video. It shows just how important your interaction is in spite of the distance. Well done!
Laura