Page 40 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2022 - Online Magazine

Focus
FAMILY
The Joys of

Being a Grandparent

by Residents at Carillon Senior Living

here is a special bond relationship. Studies have shown when they were so full already? It
between grandparents and that grandparents involved in was a mystery, but definitely a reality.
Tgrandchildren. Seniors in their grandchildren’s lives perform
retirement communities value time better on cognitive tests and have Our most recent addition arrived in
spent with grandchildren and find sharper minds. Grandparents 2018 in The Woodlands—a tiny little
that those moments create precious who are “keeping up” with their girl (3 lbs. 10 oz.) with a great big
memories. When grandparents move grandchildren often report feeling personality! We were self-conscious
to a retirement home, grandkids can younger and may even live longer holding her the first time, but we
rest assured that visiting Grandma lives! soon learned that her delicate
and Grandpa should remain an packaging was merely a bluff. Kara
enjoyable experience. In fact, many Here are a few stories about being will celebrate her fourth birthday
of the activities they enjoy together a grandparent from residents at in November and has charmed our
can continue at the retirement Carillon Senior Living: hearts to bulging status with her
community, and they may discover giggles and koala bear hugs.
new ones as well. When you become Mimi and Jimmy-Jim, a.k.a Jim and
a grandparent, it can change your Dianne Powell Jim and I struggle to find words to
life in many wonderful ways. When convey our immeasurable delight as
asked for the best thing about having Jim and I became “official” hands- Mimi and Jimmy-Jim. The feeling
a grandchild, grandparents talk on grandparents for the first time simply transcends our language;
about the joys of loving and being in March 2001 when we met our our spirits feel luminous. To our
loved, watching children grow, and 4-month-old Caleb at the Lubbock surprise, we have also experienced
seeing themselves live on through airport. Caleb traveled to Lubbock unparalleled joy as we observe
their grandchildren. from Viet Nam with his adoptive our sons in their parenting roles,
parents–our son and daughter-in-law. although we snicker occasionally
One of the great things about Our hearts felt at full capacity! when they are thrown off guard by
becoming a grandparent is loving their children’s responses.
and caring for your grandchild In 2009, we welcomed a second
without being responsible for them in grandson, and this time we were We love to have our grandchildren—
the same way their parents are. Many the travelers who journeyed to The along with their parents—come to
people are amazed and delighted at Woodlands to welcome young Sam. Carillon. Our grandchildren quickly
the joy, fun, and love that becoming Although he was sleeping when realize Carillon is filled with many
grandparents brings to their lives. we arrived, our daughter-in-law grandparents who love to shower
The special bonds that can develop thoughtfully told us we could hold attention and affection on them;
between you and your grandchild him–and we wasted no time lifting and contagious energy ripples
can lead to a beautiful and rewarding him into our arms and hearts. How throughout the campus when the
could our hearts expand even more grandkids show up. At Carillon,

Mimi and Jimmy-Jim, a.ka. Jim and Dianne Powell Grandkids.

40 Lubbock Senior Link