Three of my four grandparents had passed away by the time I was a child. I had a grandma, who was wonderful, but who I really only saw once a year because we lived in different states.

All that to say, grandparents were not a big part of my life.

So, watching my kids grow up with grandparents in their daily life has been incredibly beautiful to watch.

I remember friends of mine growing up talking about their grandparents like they were their favorite people on earth. I remember how heartbroken friends were when their grandparents passed.

I didn’t understand it, but I’m starting to, as I watch my kids with their grandparents.

I’m not exaggerating when I say having good grandparents in your life has to be one of the greatest blessings out there.

It’s like having more parents, because they love you almost as much as the parents do.

Yet, they are more fun than parents because they don’t need to make all the rules. They don’t need to hound on a kid to get things done. They can pop in and out, and leave everyone feeling lighter.

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They can give the kids the extra time and attention that they are craving.

It’s the reason kids jump up and down and run to the front door when their grandparents show up . . . because with them they feel so incredibly loved.

They know they will be heard, seen, and met with a huge hug.

They also know they might get a little spoiled.

Essentially, having grandparents means you get a whole bunch of extra love.

A whole bunch of extra love that many people don’t get.

These kids can look into their parents’ eyes and see the pride and love in them.

They can also look at their grandparents and see the same thing.

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Because to the grandparents, their grandchildren are also a part of them, just like their own kids are.

Grandparents get to watch these little humans run around, reminding them of some other kiddos they used to watch run around in a very similar way . . . not so long ago.

The love you get from a grandparent is a bonus love that should never be taken for granted.

In fact, I think a grandparent’s love sticks with a person for life.

It changes a kid forever because they will never forget how that love felt.

It’s a special love.

It’s truly one of the greatest blessings out there.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page