Daughters are amazing. I have 3 of my own. Add in that I am “dad” to a number of great young women. Then there are granddaughters. I have 5 of those.
I love all my kids. I love all my grandchildren. Each one comes at a life differently. Some are hard swinging while others have that softer approach to life. I consider myself fortunate for the relationships I have with each one of them.
A couple of weeks ago, I was on vacation, and one of my granddaughters (Mariah) was there with my daughter and her brothers. The big reason for travel, was that my wife and I needed some time away, and the “minor” reason was that there was a large car show in in Lake George. We invited my daughter, a single mom to join us for a few of those days. {{more}}
Mariah, my granddaughter, has been in my life a lot for the last 12 years. Her mom went into recovery and came to live with us with 3 kids, so she could work on recovery. I see her often, even though we live in different times.
Recently she turned 16 and even more than before, we have been talking cars, jobs and more. (Add in she is a drummer and we are on the same page.)
The first day she was with us, she spent time outside looking at wildlife and just relaxing in one of the chairs. That night we all decided to just hang out about the cabin and hit the car show the next morning at an early hour. (S’mores might have been part of the experience!)
The next day was Friday and it was time to go see the cars!!! We drove down, found a space and entered the show. Thousands of cares inside the fence and thousands AND thousands outside on the streets of Lake George.
My granddaughter, wanted to keep jumping to the next car, but then would refocus and take time with each car. We went back and forth, over the paints, the motors and the customization of each car.
Now, girls look at things differently than guys. They think a lot difference. BUT, every time a car revved up on the street, or smoke began pouring off tires, she was right there with me. At one point she was “glued” to the fence overlooking the street.
Cars…
That night we came down and sat on the road watching cars. When the 800 HP Corvette started up, I thought she would pass out. And the boys, watching her as they cruised by, well, that got my wife and daughter amped up.
On the way home, all she could say, was, “I can’t wait until tomorrow.”
We got home and spent the night having a great time just kicking back. Sitting on the porch, enjoying the weather and being with family.
The next day, we had to check out. So, when everybody was up, fed and cars were loaded we were on our way. We spent an hour without finding parking. We ended up in a restaurant parking lot and we concluded it was just time to get home.
Amongst hugs and kisses goodbye to each other, Mariah came over to me and said, “I really wanted to hang out with you. You take time to talk to me about things.”
She left. The tears came.
About an hour later, we took a break and who showed up? My daughter and grandchildren! We spent another hour together before we headed home.
I know teens are hard to understand, hard to get through to, and often just seem to disagree with other generations. It is a time of passion and exhilaration and pushing boundaries.
Mariah and I have had some pretty serious conversations, as recently as last Saturday. I know with her dad not being part of her life all these years, I am perhaps the predominant male in her life. I take that place with honor and responsibility.
Mariah. I love you and I am proud of the young woman you are becoming.
I love my children and my grandchildren. We may not always agree, but we have agreed to love.
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