Our family is readying to welcome a new grandbaby at the end of July. This will be the fourth (and second boy!). Glenn was alive and present at the birth of our first grandbaby. He was so proud and excited to become a grandpa. I think he was even more excited about the name he chose – “Grandpa Buck” in honor of the movie role played by John Candy in “Uncle Buck”. When he came up with the name everyone said how perfect it was. The larger than life, always find the fun, be carefree, the underdog but always knowing family comes first, was completely Glenn. (If you haven’t watched the movie take the time – it is worth it.)
As I get ready to welcome our fourth grandbaby I keep getting a little sad. I can’t help but think how proud Glenn would be and can hear him boast about it being a boy. Thinking got me looking back at old notes/posts people had shared with me. This list below is some of the BEST things.
shared from…..https://www.grandmasbriefs.com/home/30-firsts-only-grandparents-celebrate
1 First time being held by grandparents
2 First smile just for Grandma or Grandpa
3 First time calling a grandparent the name they’ll forever be known by
4 First time saying “I love you” to a grandparent—without prompting from Mom or Dad
5 First drawing for Grandma and Grandpa’s fridge
6 First shared phone conversation
7 First board game played together
8 First reciprocated hug
9 First hug when the grandchild lets go last
10 First song sung for a grandparent
11 First time introducing a new sibling to Grandpa and Grandma
12 First gift made with their very own hands
13 First gift purchased with their very own money
14 First time giving sincere thanks to Grandma or Grandpa
15 First shared dance
16 First video chat together
17 First time cooking together
18 First time reaching for Grandma’s hand to hold while walking
19 First time reading a book to a grandparent
20 First personalized card written by the child—even if Mom or Dad provided letter-by-letter instruction
21 First time sleeping at Grandma’s house
22 First time waking Grandma or Grandpa in the morning when they sleep at the grandchild’s house
23 First compliment—on food, fashion or a grandparent’s awesome ability that Grandma or Grandpa never realized was so awesome
24 First outing with grandparents only—Mom and Dad not allowed
25 First joke shared—a joke the grandchild actually gets and finds funny
26 First time hiding while Grandma or Grandpa seeks
27 First time going to the theater together
28 First holiday together (and every single one thereafter)
29 First time saying, “I miss you”
30 First photo with all their cousins—and Grandma and Grandpa, too
All of theses amazing firsts are just wonderful. For us widow Grammy’s (Grandma, Nana, Gigi…and the list can go on and on) these first take on a different meaning. The first time without Grandpa Buck keeps playing over and over…..but I am determined to be the best Grammy for each of them. Living up to the larger than life, always finding the fun and carefree attitude to honor their “Bo Buck” (Grandpa Buck). He would have it no other way.
About Pam Williams
Pam was born and raised in Texas and is the oldest of her siblings. She has worked in education for over 15 years with the last two being a graphic design instructor.
In the spring of 2011, with both of them almost 41, lots of baggage between the two (which fondly became known as “the luggage”, Pam met her husband and soulmate Glenn and soon after they began to merge their families. The wonderful journey began but everyone always knew it had been destined.
Pam is a mom and bonus mom to five adult children (plus two wonderful son in laws), a grammy to five adventure seeking grands , and widow after Glenn passed away due to complications of a congenital heart condition on November 3, 2019.
Pam has often blogged, journaled, and spoke about all of the joys, ups and downs, and adventures of their life and has been encouraged by many to actually share with the world. She has begun a personal blog and soon will be publishing for all to enjoy.