My Name Is Nannymom

You don’t choose your family.
They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.
~Desmond Tutu

When I turned forty, I went through some life-changing events.

My youngest child graduated from high school, my twenty-year marriage ended, I left my job as editor of a small newspaper, we had several deaths in my family, I moved twice, and I became a grandmother for the first time.

The announcement of the approaching baby was not met with fanfare. My daughter would be a single mom and at the time my marriage was shaky to say the least. But when I saw the sonogram, heard the heartbeat, and felt this precious life move for the first time, my heart filled with joy

God never makes mistakes.

I knew the birth of this child would be a blessing, and twelve years later, he is my gift.

When he was six months old, I began the journey of raising this child on my own. Well, not entirely on my own—God has always been there and my wonderful mother has stood by me through thick and thin.

Mimi says her reason for living is this boy. He is our joy. He has a loving spirit, a great sense of humor—much to his great grandmother’s dismay—is an honor roll student, loves church, fishing, playing computer games, building things, working puzzles, reading, and he is a big help to me at home and even at work.

I can’t think of my life without him. Some people say it’s not fair for me to have to raise this child, but I say it’s an honor.

It hasn’t always been easy. We’ve had to face some difficult situations, but my faith in God and His direction has always pulled me through.

This year I will turn fifty-three and my grandson will be thirteen—a teenager! Luckily, I can still keep up with him. I can ride go-carts, fly kites, play putt-putt, take long walks, camp, and take him on fun outings. I have some tough roads ahead and sometimes I do get scared—can I do this alone? But, then I remember I’m never alone. God is with me. I have my family, my church and many, many friends. This precious boy is my first priority when I’m at work, volunteering in my community, and at home. His contagious smile sincerely radiates his love for family and in the spur of a moment he is always willing to lend a hand.

My grandson calls me his nanny, and he knows my daughter is his biological mother, but sometimes he simply refers to me as “Nannymom,” and I wear that name with pride!

~Glenda Lee