By Tommy Franke
Proud Grandmother

My husband Mark and I have been blessed with three grandchildren. The only problem is we wish there were more of them! We are doubly blessed that two of them live within a 10-minute drive from our home.

Some of my fondest childhood memories took place during my prolonged visits to my own grandparents’ small farm. Because of that, I have been determined to make visiting us important to our grandkids.

Since they were born, I’ve combed garage sales to make sure that our house is full of age-appropriate games, puzzles, books, bikes, and sporting equipment. Sure, Papa complains about giving up space in his garage, but he loves seeing them enjoy themselves as much as I do.

I found a kids’ cookbook, and our 13-year-old granddaughter has spent the last 10 years experimenting with recipes from it. The first thing she asks when she visits is, “Can I bake something?” She knows my answer is always, “My kitchen is your kitchen.” She has become quite skilled, and I think this avocation may turn into something more for her in the future.

Her 8-year-old brother sometimes likes to putter in the kitchen too, but most of the time, he can be found elsewhere. Together, we love cuddling our sheepadoodle, fighting Nerf gun battles, playing wiffle ball and pickleball, and our favorite—hitting golf balls at the driving range.

We recently tried a new activity—fishing at the pond in my neighborhood. Alas, neither of us could stomach putting the worm on the hook or touching the squirming fish to throw them back. So, fishing has been permanently removed from our To Do list.

These two have been staying overnight at our house since they were born. Once they were able to request them, the visits occurred even more often. They now spend one night each week during the school year. Those weekly visits remind me of when our own children were growing up. I really enjoy hearing about their days at school. They get an afterschool snack and then some outside play time with our neighbor kids. After a home-cooked meal, it’s time for homework and memory work, then baths, bedtime snacks, and cuddling up with a book before prayers and lights out.

Fortunately, both kids get up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. (This is definitely not reminiscent of when their mother was growing up). They enjoy pancakes and sometimes even get hot chocolate. As Papa loads them into his truck for the trip to school, I call out our family motto that they have memorized: Be kind. Work hard. Learn a lot. Have fun.

Some wonder why we would want to do this every week. It gives their busy parents a break, but it does so much more for us. We know how quickly these years fly by, and we want to treasure each moment we can with them.

We have been purchasing grandparents’ passes to both the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and Science Central since our eldest grandchild was born and have enjoyed many visits with our grandkids there. We have also taken them to area fairs and festivals and have also taken some family road trips with them.

On one such trip to our oldest grandson’s home in New Hampshire, my husband spent a week there completing a treehouse that had been started by my grandson’s other Opa. All of us, including the grandkids, pitched in, carrying lumber and helping any way we could. What a wonderful memory that was and how special that our grandson was able to enjoy, for many years, the treehouse built for him by his two grandpas.

We have been able to be there for all the special and even not so special events in the lives of our two local grandkids. We are thankful that we have been able to attend everything— Christmas services, piano recitals, soccer games, school carnivals, Pinewood Derbies, and so on.

On the other hand, our oldest grandson has always lived far away, which has been very hard for us. We are thankful that his parents agree with us that it is very important that we get together as often as possible. We have been together for most holidays, birthdays, graduations, confirmation, Grandparents Days, and basketball and soccer tourneys.

Which leads me to our favorite activity that we get to do with all three grandkids: Each summer, we enjoy a week at family camp at beautiful Camp Arcadia on Lake Michigan.

Camp Arcadia started as a Walther League camp more than 100 years ago. At family camp, we all stay together in the historic inn, cabins, or cottages. The days begin with a Bible study and then are filled with an almost endless list of activities: hiking, archery, shuffleboard, all kinds of ball games, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, campfires, treats in the Trading Post, indoor games such as pool and ping pong in the Wigwam, music, arts and crafts, etc. Each day ends with Vespers.

On the last day, we gather on the beach for a worship service with a background of the sun setting behind the cross on beautiful Lake Michigan. All three generations agree this week at Arcadia is our favorite week of the year.

For 15 years, my three grandchildren have been always in my prayers so it’s appropriate that I end this article with a prayer:

Thank you, God, for blessing us with these three and giving us so many memories of wonderful times spent together. Please always bless them and keep them in your loving hands. Amen.

Write down your favorite activities with your grandchildren

1. Where do you enjoy visiting together?

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2. What do you enjoy watching your grandchildren do or perform?

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3. What was your favorite toy growing up that you could share with your grandchild?

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4. What was your favorite activity growing up that you could share with your grandchild?

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5. What is a place that you would love to take your grandchild?

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