A Healthy Self Image for Grandma
I LOVE being a Grandma! I have never been one of those that have said “I’m not ready to be a Grandma!” I have a healthy self image and I’m not at all worried about looking like a Grandma either…Or am I?
I’ve had some funny things happen to me in just the last month or so…
One day while I was watching my daughters Basketball practice, one of the siblings of a teammate was sitting by me holding my hand (she’s only five) She began observing that the veins in my hand were sticking out. Then she began playing with these veins and finally she said “Are you a Grandma?” Hmmm..I remember playing with my Great Grandmas veins in her hands too and being so fascinated with them.
And then…
While I was Christmas shopping one evening, (by myself I might add) I found these really nice awesome fleece blankets on sale for $12. Not only that, they had all my kid’s favorite colors. So I bought one for each. Then it happened…Out of nowhere this lady comes right up to me and says,
“Oh I love these kind of blankets..they are so soft and cuddly! Are you buying these for your Grandchildren?”
What??? My Grandchildren?? Why would she think these blankets were for my Grandchildren and not for my children..
All kinds of questions began in my head. Do I look old? Is it my graying hair? Is it my weight gain? Do only Grandmas buy blankets for children for Christmas? What was it? I had never seen this woman before in my life..She then scurried off and said “Merry Christmas!” UUhhh Merry Christmas to you too. 
I mean I know I have more snow on the roof than last year but I didn’t think I looked quite like a Grandma?
And then….
The other day I was watching “Sid the Science Kid” with my sweet little Grandson..he loves that show. I was surprised at how irritated I felt when I saw Sid’s Grandma. I had seen her many times before…but this time…was different.
I wondered why this program was portraying her so frumpy and heavy set. Now I know that Grandma’s come in all shapes and sizes. I truly never think of anyone and there body shape or size when I meet them..but for some reason I wondered WHY Grandmas always seem to be portrayed as heavy and unfit! It really bugged me!
The kind of Grandma I want to be is fit and full of energy. Able to enjoy many, many years ahead with my Grandchildren…if the Lord wills. I want to be an example to my Grandchildren of healthy living.
So I can tell you that after praying about this irritation and the recent series of reactions and comments that I have received, I came to realize why I was so irritated.
In this last year and a half I have gained 20 lbs! My little muffin top has turned into a spare tire! Acckk! How did that happen? My hair really HAS become more gray AND the veins in my hands ARE popping out!
You know, there are things that are under our control and some that are not. I can be a fit Grandma, but I can’t stop my hair from greying and I can’t stop my veins from popping out. I’m not one to dye my hair..can’t afford that regimen. So acceptance is the next best thing.
My reactions to these situations have caught me a bit off guard to say the least. The good news…these are the kinds of things that bring me to my knees, before my Lord, and remind me who I really am and the reality of my human frailty….that true beauty comes from the inside out..not the outside in. This is my “new” healthy self image for Grandma…
“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” Proverbs 16:31
Tell me the best things you remember about your Grandma or if you didn’t have a Grandma..the kind of person you would have liked her to be?
I always thought Sid’s grandmother was beautiful, she seemed so comforting ang loving. My grandmother passed away when I was 10 and I always wished we had more time together. Although she was almost 90, I wished that my mom had been younger when she had me, but I am saying all this to say, grandmothers are lovable. I enjoyed your post, it brought a smile to my face.
I like Sid’s Grandma too! She’s so me! LOL 😀 I’m going to be a very old Grandma with my younger kids..I’m trying hard to take good care of myself though. Thanks again for stopping by!
Blessings!
I LOVE this post:) So real!
I dye my hair, I always have, ironically, though, I dye it white. I’m hoping my white hairs will start taking over faster, because the upkeep is killing me!
I’m not a grandma yet (my oldest is only 20), but I am struggling with accepting some of the aging issues (where on earth did my metabolism go??) I appreciate your candor and witty writing style!
Hi Byn! Thanks so much for stopping by! I actually LOVE white hair. My grandparents had beautiful, soft white hair! I keep hoping that I will have that beautiful hair…by the way I looked at your pic. and you have beautiful hair too!
Blessings!
this is a great post! I admire how you thought about things ..
my husband always reminds me of that Probverbs quote when I dye my hair!
Hi there Momto8 🙂 thanks for stopping by! Well just a little secret..I’d probably die my hair if I could afford it. LOL I guess I’ll have to stick with the humbling it creates in me HA 😀
By the way…love your funnies lately!
Blessings!
one of my grandma’s love her plants our job every afternoon is to fetch her favorite gardener, teen ager who is also a relative,she does this so she can give us some money for our daily allowanace,i remember e get a lump sum during xmas,for being obedient everyday,because more often,my sister and i will go to her place and sort of tell get if we can call Cynthia to water her roses.she was a little bit heavy on the side but she walks a lot.also she goes to our place every Sunday to hear the tv mass.good thing she just lives nearby.and she never missed it,until her dying day.
my other grandma is a proactive,independent and a self sufficient one.Our province(equivalent of a State in the US)is very far,that she has to ride a ship and a bus to get to our place,and she can not even understand our dialect.so what she does she talks to them in English, which not most people are well versed especially for kids in the rural areas.and they find that a little bit funny and queer and intimidating.and when i tell this to my kids, they would all laugh, one even said , “now we know where we got that attitude from,”when we talked about their great grandma.and they were not really surprised because my mom,their grandma is like that as well.
these are the qualities that i got from my grandmother,which i am very proud of.and it is a good thing, my kids know these,makig them understanding,loving,and greatful of their heritage
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I love that your Grandma participated in giving an allowance and had jobs for you. I’m going to do that when my Grandkids get older 🙂 I also love that she was a walker..that’s my favorite kind of exercise!
Your other Grandmother also sounds very interesting and exciting. I think it’s great that your kids know their awesome heritage and are proud just as you! Thank you for sharing Sarah..I hope I will leave such wonderful memories as you have described 🙂
Blessings to you!
First, I LOVE Sid’s grandma! She reminds me so much of my own mom and her relationship with our oldest. It’s not because she is a little heavy, but because of what an important part she is in Sid’s life. I especially love the “back seat driving with grandma!” 🙂 That’s how my grandma was. She lived with us until she passed away when I was 12. She helped raise me. My fondest memories of her were eatting lunch together, watching The Price Is Right.
I’m thankful every day for the grandmas my children are priviledged to have. Both are amazing loving Godly women who cherish their role as Grandma.
Hi Torrie! I love Sid’s Grandma too…as a matter of fact I act alot like her 😀 That’s why I was kind of surprised at my internal reaction. LOL What a great reminder you are to me of how important I am as a Grandma to my Grandchildren. I heard something on the Christian Radio just yesterday about that same thing. What a very special memory you have of your Grandmother! That’s what I want my Grandchildren to really remember. Like you said..Not because I’m a little heavy, but because or our relationship to one another!
Blessings to you!
Have a great weekend!
I think you look wonderful – and not like a “grandma,” Shari! My grandmas definitely looked like grandmas and (living in small-town South Dakota) had such an amazing acceptance of their age. I hope to be able to grow into such an acceptance, too … although I’m still fighting it now!
Deb you are so sweet..yes I think I am just in the beginning of acceptance LOL I don’t think I would have noticed if it hadn’t been mentioned so much 🙂 Hey did you see that I mentioned you in my post:
Looking back on 2011
Blessings and Thank You!!
Oh, my goodness! Well, I had my children when I was older (35 and 38) so I imagine that someday I will be mistaken for a grandma. I see some grey starting to creep in!
My grandma looked like a grandma when she was young, just because living was harder back then, I think. My mom (until her last year of fighting cancer) looked very young and fit for a grandma. She had wonderful skin and lived a healthy lifestyle. She would be 69 if she were still with us, and I think she would be the best looking grandma around!
I’m sorry your Mom is no longer with you Ginny 🙁 My Mom also died of Cancer..so sad. I am so happy that you have such great memories of her and would think so highly of her. Thanks for sharing!