Nobody loves us like our mother
Last week while visiting my grandson Beau, he continuously did something which struck a chord with me. The entire time I was holding him, he would look at me while taking a special interest in my cap. At three weeks old, his curiosity was alive and well. What got to me was this.
Every time Lindsey would speak, his eyes would open wider as he looked around to see his mama. It was amazing to me he would learn her voice so quickly. His eyes brightened when she spoke with the love only a child has. At three weeks old, I believe this kind of love is a perfect love.
Many of my golf buddies are grandfathers. There is no shortage of stories on the porch of the club about their grandkids. Before the last tournament of the year, I was talking to Ty Adams.
He talked about how much he and his wife Mekie spend time with their children and grandchildren. Ty’s family is a sporting family. It would not surprise me one of his grandchildren does not play pro sports someday. He said something else before he parted ways.
He told me he enjoyed golfing, but it meant nothing in comparison to the time he gets to spend with his family. Ty and Mekie are good people. I was blessed to know their parents. They are doing exactly as they were taught.
Another of my golf buddies, Jay West asked me a week or so ago about Beau. I told him I can not even explain the love I immediately felt for that child at first sight. Jay was kind enough to indulge my rambling on. Then he said something which completely changed the countenance on his face. He said, “Just wait until he jumps into your arms and says, Papa, let’s play. He was grinning from ear to ear. He and his wife Jackie are another couple I have known for years. They do not just talk about being grandparents, they are engaged.
About three weeks ago, I saw something I had never seen. My golfing friend, Richard Aaron came driving up in his golf cart with his grandson. The car seat was securely fastened to the golf cart. I thought for sure somebody was probably on the way to pick him up. I was wrong. The baby rode with his grandfather for eighteen holes and never whimpered.
I do not remember if Richard won or lost that day against his competitors. It was obvious he did not care. He had just spent three or four hours with his grandson uninterrupted. On that day, Richard was a winner.
A lot of kids come from home where their parents are divorced. Lindsey was one of those children. She understood at an early age using her situation as an excuse to misbehave would not be tolerated. It is my prayer Beau never has to experience such. As a father-in-law, I hit the son-in-law lotto. Steve Shrout came into our lives only after Lindsey was sure he was the one. He is a good man with the highest of moral and ethical values. There is not a doubt he would surrender his life to protect Lindsey and Beau. What more could I ask for?
There are times the guilt overwhelms me in how I did my part in raising Lindsey. For several years, I was more wrapped up in moving up than I was parenting. I guess I just wanted her to have more. She deserved better. Hopefully, she will take those lessons from me on how not to parent and be a better parent to Beau. He deserves it also. There was a time I thought my favorite times with Lindsey were when she was a little girl. Watching her interact with her son has made me rethink my position. When his eyes light up at the sound of her voice, I know she is doing something right. She got most of it from her Mama, I am sure. I can only hope there were times I did get it right.
Mamas and Daddies are different. We love them both and they love us. However, like Billy Bob Thornton said in the movie Primary Colors, “Nobody loves us like our mother.” Every parent and grandparent make mistakes. We all fall short of who we could be. The same goes for every child and grandchild. When it comes time for us to help take care of them like they did us, we need to do it. Regardless of their mistakes. To not take care of them in their later years is just plain sorry.
Enjoy Halloween with the kids and grandkids while being safe. And take a minute to call your mama!