Author: Marlys Lawry Page 46 of 54

It’s always so much fun sad when The Parents leave and the grandma has the grandkidlets all to herself. It’s also a little dangerous. For example, yesterday the 6-year-old decided I needed a make-over. The 14-year-old warned me: “You might want her to go easy on the eye shadow. Otherwise you’ll look like you have two black eyes.” She speaks from experience.

This reminded me that Hubby used to talk about giving cancer a black eye. Which is defined as getting off the couch and doing something you don’t necessarily feel like doing.

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They loved their grandpa despite that fact that he teased them mercilessly. Or maybe because of it.

So how do you explain cancer to grandchildren? And how do you help them through their loss? Here are three ways:

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Lilly, the petite but strong fourteen-year-old, tested for her mixed martial arts black belt on Sunday. In front of a panel of stern-looking judges. All wearing black.

Lilly goes in for the takedown

So why would you want your daughter to learn to fight? Simple. Because you never know when she might face a formidable opponent. Because you would want her to respond with skill and good judgment.

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“What if Grandpa was holding my other hand and you guys could swing me again,” commented the six-year-old as we walked to the park. She remembers the grandpa who teased the grandkids. The grandpa who interacted with them; who thought their names were all George for some reason.

I miss this good man. Every day. But what if, when you face hard things, you could come out on the other side wiser, kinder, stronger? Would it be worth it? I’m thinking yes, not that I go looking for hard things.

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The Jersey family is getting ready to expand. Daughter Summer and SIL Josh have just been granted legal guardianship of three young brothers from Africa.

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You know New Jersey is referred to as the Garden State, right? The Jersey kids and grands live in the land of u-pick strawberry farms, pumpkin patches, and fields and orchards. Today we visited Terhune Orchards in Princeton. For a quarter, you can buy goat food and make a local friend.

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The Parents are coming home today after a quick flight to Africa to keep an adoption court date.

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This grandma has been on Eastern Standard Time for more than a week, which means she now has her east coast sea legs under her. And she’s learned some things in the process. Like, there’s very little hot chocolate in a cup of hot chocolate where The Boy and I had breakfast one morning.

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I am *single mom* to three grandkids while Daughter Summer and SIL Josh fly east to keep an adoption court date in Africa.

My first day on the job, I managed to pick Lydia up from school; drop Lilly by the orthodontist; get Lilly to MMA practice …

No, they’re not twins and their mother doesn’t dress them alike

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Today = ordered an Uber car to the airport, got through security at LAX and am seated with a Chai tea. An hour and 22 minutes before my flight to Jersey is scheduled to depart.

This is not my fault. Remember, I was married to Hubby all those years.

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