Yesterday I got my first, long awaited Great Granny Cuddle of the newest addition to the family. Our first great grandson was born twelve days ago and six weeks early. Yesterday, after eleven days on the neo-natal unit, he was healthy enough to come home. His proud parents and his equally proud new granny (sorry, she wants to be called nanny as it sounds younger than granny) brought him here so the rest of the family could meet him. Whilst cuddles were being given and photos taken the conversation turned to the “granny v nanny” argument. As stated above, my daughter prefers the latter whilst I am definitely a granny. At least we haven’t got a nannan! At this point my granddaughter asked the same question everybody asks, “So, does it make you feel old now you’re a great-granny?” My answer was a quite emphatic “No!” I was asked the same question over 20 years ago when I became a granny for the first time, and I certainly didn’t feel old then.
I had my children young so it followed that grand-parentage and now great-grand-parentage would arrive early. As our girls grew up we led a varied life which has given all of us some fabulous memories; in my role as a granny I have continued to make fantastic memories with their children. As the new mum commented once in answer to this very question, when she was about twelve years old, “You’re not old, you’re my Mad, Cool Gran!”
I have always had a penchant for the beautiful, the outrageous, the unusual or the downright silly. I still get a buzz from reaching that summit and seeing the breathtaking view spread out below; lying on my back in a meadow and peering up through the tall grass into the clearest blue sky; standing outside on a dark night to gaze at the milky way. I simply can’t get to grips with people who say they don’t see the amazing, the awesome and the wonderful in this world. These are the things which make life worthwhile. I will always encourage my children, their children and now their children to seek out these experiences.
Since I still can’t resist running barefoot on the beach and paddling in the sea I see nothing wrong in encouraging the grandkids to do the same, often resulting in having to transport naked children back home because, as children will, they went in too far, started splashing each other or “accidentally” fell over. Try telling a child with a broken arm that he can’t paddle in the sea or roll down a 60ft sand dune! It’s amazing what can be achieved with a bit of cling-film, courtesy of granny. I don’t just take them on a walk in the country, I take them to places where we can scramble about on rocks and jump over streams, natural parcour if you like. We have been mountaineers climbing the highest peaks, in some cases quite literally, explorers hiking through forests, pirates sailing (rowing) the seven seas, knights storming a fortress. There is no end to where our imagination will take us.
And there isn’t only the natural world to explore. There is a whole world of more organised fun out there as well. I am addicted to theme parks as I love that feeling of anticipation on the slow climb of a roller coaster followed by the exhilaration as it tips over the top and swoops towards the ground. A trip to Alton Towers has always been a popular choice for me but my favourite by far is Disneyland Paris, where granny and granddad have taken several of the grandkids over the years, the highlight being the year we went to watch our youngest granddaughter perform there and take part in the pre-parade. I just can’t get enough of that Disney magic. Which is a bit odd really since I am not a big fan of Disney movies.
I am always up for a family day out, whether it be a picnic at one of our favourite places or laying siege to a ruined castle; scaling a mountain or crawling through caves; riding on steam trains or taking trips on trams; it doesn’t matter where so long as it is awesome, action-packed and fun. And now I’ve got the opportunity to show a whole new generation how to get into mischief. Me, old? Never….I am now a Mad, Cool, Great Gran!