We are living with my paternal grandparents right now…waiting to close on our house. While it can be difficult to live in multi-generational set-up (at least for most suburban Americans), I am choosing to look at this time as a sweet gift for my children to bond with 2 people who were so instrumental in my childhood years (and beyond, really).
I am choosing to allow them to help. I am choosing to allow myself to rest. I am choosing to allow my grandfather to take my 3 year old grocery shopping and to pick out some brand new sneakers (that was their big outing yesterday). I am choosing to share my family with…my family. Believe it or not, this is a hard thing to do when you've struck out on your own for a number of years. It is beautiful and difficult, tangled yet true.
Without a doubt, it is where we're supposed to be.
My grandmother has impeccable taste…she's a woman who isn't respected as much as she should be and who creates beauty out of nothing. She's an Advanced Master Gardner and an expert Flea Market shopper. She has been rocking the "curated bohemian style" long before anyone else. Her bookshelves are overflowing with gardening books, art books, and cookbooks. She is a gem.
And the sad part, as with much of family, I don't know her as intimately, as closely, as I should. My goal in this adventure is to get to know the woman who I most resemble a little better. To show her some attention, love, and respect. To let her know I appreciate the beauty she creates.