Grandma – The Cheerleader, Encourager and Confidante
Homework Assignment
Today I have a homework assignment. At first I struggled to find the right words, making sure my heart was in the right place along with my mind. Sipping on my coffee and meditating on how to share my thoughts…there just was nothing there. Hopping back to my instructions I re-read them line by line. As if by divine intervention, the light came on. The story of a little girl, the first-born of five children and her fiery grandma came to mind.
Sometimes life can get so frustrating. Wrapped up in the daily tasks of our jobs, earning a living, which is getting tougher and tougher, we can forget the simpler times. Each one of us struggles from time to time and it is all right. Those tough times are what make us stronger. It is also times like these that we lean on those we love, trust and look to for guidance. Maybe you have a story like this little girl and her grandma; if not, she will share hers with you.
From the beginning
From the time she was an infant a special bond formed, with her fiery grandma. (tweet this) Being the first born within the family is a special place, it does not make the siblings any lesser, it is just special that is all.
As she grew into a toddler, her relationship with her grew deeper. Trips to town in the old green GMC pickup were special. Sitting high up in the car seat, she could see every tree, cow in the field and jackrabbit, too. Before returning home, they shared an ice cream cone, their special time together.
A special trust formed between the two on one particular trip to town. The loving grandma told the little girl to sit toward the middle of the seat, not to hang on the door as many kids did then. The road was bumpy and the truck old.
The little girl thinking she knew better sat by the truck door, ignoring her grandma's wise instruction. Thank goodness, her stern grandma had quick reflexes as the GMC rolled over a pothole in the road the door flew open and the little girl with it. Her encourager caught her by the ankle, saving her from falling out of the truck. From that day onward, the little girl trusted the words of her wise grandma and followed her direction.
Everything takes time
Over time, as the little girl grew her confidante became her best friend. Phone calls late at night were encouraging especially when going through tough trials. When she became a teenager and moved on into high school the encouragement continued to the point of mentorship.
Her fiery grandma had taught her how to eat peas, cook a simple meal, and start a load of laundry without criticizing her steps. When she received her report card, praises flowed like honey and as promised, a dollar for every “A” built her savings account.
Life it seems does not choose who gets what trial. The little girl now a grown woman went through many and with each new struggle turned to her fiery grandma for support, direction and warm hugs of encouragement. The final trial of her young adulthood came when she lost her best friend, confidante and encourager, her cheerleader grandma. How would she continue, who would be there for those late night phone calls?
Passing the baton
This would be the biggest test of her life. Now it became clear the baton had passed from one fiery grandma to the next. Now, it is the young woman’s turn to be the encourager, cheerleader and confidante. Her passion burns deep within her to be the best grandma ever. To pass her memories, lessons learned and youthful vigor along to her grandchildren.
She now is the one who talks on the phone with her little ones, encouraging them when they fall. She would love nothing more than to turn back the clock to recapture one more moment with her grandma, back to those special moments so dear in her memory.
Instead, she is helping others learn how to turn back the clock, to enjoy each moment of every day to be a ray of sunshine one giggle at a time. She hopes to leave a legacy as her Grandma Jo did. To be known as the anti-aging, fiery grandma of four exposing the secrets to turning back the clock.
Today, my hope for you is that if you are struggling with something, you will have someone to talk with. Do you have a special relationship with someone you call a confidante?
Friends help friends, share by clicking the “Like” button at the top of the page, be sure to “tweet”, too. We can not do what we do without you. Thanks for all you do.
Read more Grandma Power stories here at my friend Tara Mohr's website. Please…leave your grandma story below.
.jpg "Carla J Gardiner")
Carla J Gardiner is an ex-banker turned entrepreneur who built an auto transport brokerage and dispatch center from the ground up. With half a days training and little else Carla learned the business inside and out the hard way…by doing it. Her passion and purpose lies with the people she works with daily; the client, dispatcher, broker and truck driver. Her frustration within the industry has birthed a new division of her company; a part-time business to to properly train, encourage and mentor others in turning back the clock and regaining youthful health.What did you think?
Let us know your thoughts on today's article.
Post your comments below.
remember, sharing is caring…
Are we connected on Twitter? | Come write on my Facebook Page Wall.
44 Responses
What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing, Carla, you have a great way of telling wonderful stories 🙂
Thank you Delia for letting me know you stopped by to read about my grandma.
Very beautiful post. It streamed a whole ton of memories for me. Thanks. My grandmother was a very special person & she still holds a special place in my heart. We shared great moments and I miss her dearly. Thanks for sharing this Carla.
Makes me miss my Grandma….she is 90 now butnot lucid enough for calls and does not know or understand where I am….
Oh, I’m sorry Carl. But, I know that you hold many memories very close to you.
Love the story! Thank you so much for sharing from the heart.
Love the story! Thank you so much for sharing from the heart.
Thanks for sharing those memories…I find it is important to remember things like that…and that it is now our turn to give back! My grandma is long gone and I am not yet a grandma but am so looking forward to the day where I can share the love she shared with me! My daughter is getting married this summer so I don’t think it will be too far into the future! Thanks again for the reminders!
Cindy I know that when you become a grandma you will be the best. Giving back to our future generation helps us feel useful, fulfilled and loved.
Loved your story, your memories. Your personality & caring comes through.
Awe, thank you Roslyn. I loved your story and recent success, too.
Great to know about your story. Thank you Carla.
You are welcome, Carele. I hope something inside that story helps you or someone you know.
Thanks for sharing this story Carla, I feel lucky because I do have someone to talk in my difficult times. I enjoyed reading …
You are welcome, Meire. Having that close relationship is key to living a fulfilled life.
Thanks for sharing this peek behind the scenes! Your personality shines through your every word my friend!! Excellent!
Thank you Denny. I know that you know being a grandma is simply the best. Hugs, miss you.
What a great story Carla! I sure love the way you write, kept me hanging on every word to see what was next 🙂
You are the best, Robin. Thank you for reading and sharing, I know how busy you are.
I just always love what you have to say and when you share your stories:) Thank you for the awesome pictures and the great story! <3
Awe, you are welcome, Daniele. Grandma would love that others like the stories, too…her legacy carries on.
This is really great Carla! thanks for sharing your memories
You’re welcome, Tom. Aren’t grandmas just the best and oh the memories.
My grandmother was like a Mom to me…I miss her dearly. Thanks for the gentle reminder that took me back 21 years 🙂
A gentle trip down memory lane is always nice Anita. Glad it was enjoyable for you, too.
I miss both of my grandmothers.
Yvonne Brown
I totally understand, Yvonne. To this day I miss grandma, too.
I feel good all over after reading this Carla. It touches the heart and the soul. It also reminds me of my Auntie, who had the same unconditional love for me that your Grandma had for you. We are blessed. Thanks for the smile. This was just what I needed today 🙂
Thank you Dawn. I love hearing all the stories others share about their grandmas and aunties and special relatives that hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you for sharing your memories with me, too.
Thank you for sharing. This post makes me sad that my relationship with my grandmother on my mom’s side was cut short. I miss her.
Awe, I’m sorry you lost your grandma too, Christy. You’ve got memories though, hold on tight.
Grandmas are definitely special. Thank you for sharing such an beautiful story.
Thank you Meryl. Yep, grandma holds a special place in my life and heart forever.
Love this Carla! I had the same kind of relationship with my grandma……and have fostered that with my oldest granddaughter! She’s 15 now…..hoping she’ll keep coming to me! Love the way you wrote this and the detail you recall! Wonderful way with words for sure!
[email protected]
Oh Joan I hope your granddaughter holds on tight to that relationship. As I read your comment it took me back to my teen years with grandma. There were ups and downs as I found my independence but it didn’t take long and I ran right back to the safety and loving arms of the woman who so inspired me. Thank you so much for your kind words…enjoy your grandchildren, all of them…precious gems they are.
Thank you Carla. It is certainly a great life as an entrepreneur and having time to spare with the special people in our life. Great article
Thank you Susan, appreciate you stopping by and sharing my story about grandma and being a woman over 50 who is redefining success working from home.
What a lovely article, Carla. I can understand how you can miss your grandma so much. I was raised by my grandma and even though she passed away when I just a teenager, I miss her. God bless you. Thanks for sharing.
How special to be raised by your grandma, Alexandra. I lived with grandma for a whole year…now we have even more in common. Thank you for sharing that memory with me.
My kids had the best Grandma there ever was! She passed in 2009 and there is not a day that goes by that we all don’t think of her, or talk to her picture… They/We miss their Nonna!
Grandmas sure hold a special place in everyone’s hearts, don’t they Rob? Those special memories will be with us forever as long as we share them with others…they’ll never be forgotten.
You picture perfectly what it feels like to miss someone that important in your life, Carla… and what a beautiful legacy to carry the torch yourself, passing it down to your grandchildren!
Thanks for sharing this story out of your busy day!
You are so right, Susan. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about and miss my grandma. She set the example of the kind of grandma I want to be and am to my five grandbabies.
Awe, thank you Susan. So appreciate your thoughtfulness sharing this opportunity to share about Grandma. Being The Fiery Grandma has been the best and sharing my life with my grandchildren is even better.