Both of my grandmothers had a positive impact on my life. I can still hear the laughter of my grandmother on my mother’s side. I see her in her summer home, on the beach in Michigan City, Indiana, preparing fresh corn on the cob in her kitchen, adding a drop of sugar to the boiling water for sweetness.

She shared this a legendary secret about her corn… shhh, don’t tell her I’m sharing with you!

At times, I still notice things I say and do that I carry with me, and I marvel at her ability to have managed to leave a piece of her behind with me to this day.

This woman unwittingly taught me that, as grandmothers, there are so many seemingly simple things we can do that will leave a lasting impression on our grands.

The Impressions Left on Me

I lived 60 miles away from my grandmother. I did not see her often, and yet, she holds a big place in my heart and mind. So much so that I was determined to emulate her by leaving a part of my essence with my grandchildren.

A young mother sent me a quote that best describes my feelings on the most important role of a grandmother.

It goes like this, “It is not what you leave your grandchildren when you are dead; it is what you leave them in their head. Your wisdom and your values, Grandma!”

Leaving a Lasting Impression

The question remains, how do we do this when our grandchildren have such busy schedules right up until bedtime? I have experienced the following scenarios; some of these may sound similar to your own:

• A granddaughter, who is a star pitcher on her college softball team.
• A grandson in middle school, a hockey goalie, who has private hockey practice every morning and then team practice each afternoon.
• A grandson who practices daily with his high school football team (who won the Arizona State Championship one season!)
• A grandson who is a star tumbler on a large cheerleading squad that won first place in the West Coast Region of the U.S.

And that’s just the beginning! Other grandchildren of mine hold lead roles in their class plays, one was an exchange student in Beijing, China, and another studied at Haifa University in Israel! I’m sure many of you are in similar boats!

So, how do we try to be an important part of our grandchildrens’ lives and leave a lasting impression when they are so busy and live so far away?

My grandchildren live in Arizona, Texas, Indiana, California and Chicago. Not to mention, I live six months out of the year in California and the other six months in Chicago. It can be hard to be a grandmother!

I am sad that I am not in the middle of their daily lives, but I have to be creative in finding ways to leave them with “Honey wisdom” and “Honey value builders!”

I have learned, over the years, that by taking an interest in my Grands and their unique and one-of-a-kind interests and gifts, I can stay connected to them despite the restraints of time + distance.

How Will You Leave a Lasting Impression Unique to You?

I am creative with my “Honey messages” and small “Honey gifts.” They seem to stick, and hopefully, they continue to as the years go on. I truly feel that I make a contribution to their lives and that is very important to me. I know a grandmother can always be in the minds of her grandchildren, distance be d*mned!

One last note: I text often, call them on their cell phones, Skype, email and Facebook with them. I know my grandchildren love me, respect me and have learned much from me.

That is the gift they have given me, and it truly is priceless!

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