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.
The beginning…
From the time, she was an infant a special bond formed, with her fiery grandma. 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 pick up 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 door in her mind a big girl thinking she knew better sat by it. 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?
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Here to Serve,
Carla J Gardiner
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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?
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