God said I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, give the baby a bottle and her daughter a break, work all day making meals, give the baby a bottle again, then change the diapers and stay up past midnight folding the laundry. So God made a Grandma.

I need somebody with strong arms to push kids in swings, yet gentle enough to rock babies to sleep. Somebody to call the grandkids in for milk and cookies, calm cranky toddlers, eat all of her dinner cold just to make sure everyone else has theirs hot. So God made a Grandma.

God said, I need somebody willing to stay up all night with a colicky newborn so her daughter-in-law can sleep. I need someone who can make pies and candy and take magical trips to the ice cream shop. Who can turn a rainy day into a grand adventure, read books, and sing lullabies. Who will get up early and go to bed late, making sure that everyone is happy, fed, and warm. So God made a Grandma.

God had to have somebody willing to break the rules behind mama’s back and yet know her limits and then say “Mommy said, ‘No,’” with a grimace and a wink. So God made a Grandma.

God said I need somebody strong enough to hold her girls’ hands through the hardest years of their parenting, and yet joyful enough to throw her head back and laugh when there’s nothing else to do but cry. And who will stop scrubbing the dishes to speak wisdom and truth into her daughter’s life, so God made a Grandma.

It had to be somebody who would love endlessly and never run dry. Somebody to snuggle, hug, kiss, and tickle and tell bedtime stories and sneak candy and tell them about Jesus. Somebody who would bind a family together with the soft strong bonds of love and compassion. Who would laugh, then reply with smiling eyes when the Grandkids say that they never want to leave Grandma’s house. So God made a Grandma.

To all of the Grandmas . . .

The Grammys and Grannies, Hammies and Nanas, MeeMaws and MaMaws, Honeys and Sugars. We would be lost without you. Thank you for the gift that you are.