I am no longer a granddaughter. My whole life I have been many different things, but I’ve always been a daughter and granddaughter. As of a little over a week ago, I am no longer a granddaughter.
The average age difference between a grandparent and grandchild is about 47+ years, making it inevitable that a grandchild will most likely lose a grandparent in childhood or early adulthood. I have been very blessed to have my grandparents up into my adult life. But, on September 26, 2021, my last living grandparent went to be with Jesus leaving me without the title of “granddaughter” ever again.
No longer being a granddaughter is a hard concept to grasp.
It seems so simple, yet it is so harsh. For 32 years, being a granddaughter has helped define me and I do not know life without it. I guess I always knew the day would come that I would be grandparent-less, but my reality has just hit hard and fast, and I was not prepared for it.
Over the past week, my entire family has grieved, celebrated, sang, laughed, and cried. In an instant, seven children lost their mother, 17 grandchildren lost their grandmother, and a sister and brother lost their sister. As I reflect on this time and grieve our loss, my prayer is that the time I had as a granddaughter will reflect on me as a daughter, wife, and mother, and my light will shine on others as my grandparents’ light has shone on me.
Although my grandparents are gone from this earth, they will always be a part of who I am, even the ones I never got the chance to meet. Because of them, I have a huge, supportive family, Cherokee Indian and Irish blood running through my veins, adorably named children (with the help of my husband’s family too), many cherished memories, and deep gratitude for our military men and women; and I know their legacy will continue through generations to come.
I am no longer a granddaughter, but I will always have my grandparents to thank for loving me, teaching me how to cook the best breakfast with perfectly fried eggs and extra crispy bacon, showing me how to be a strong and independent woman, teaching me how to pray fiercely and to always have child-like faith, and for being a large part of molding me into the woman I am today.
In loving memory of my grandparents.
