The Other Grandmother

I share my grandmother role with another woman. She is my son-in-law's mother. Her name is Carmen and I love her so very much.

We come from different worlds:

• She was born in Puerto Rico and I was born in the United States
• She came through a bad marriage and has struggled to provide for her children while I have been deeply loved by my husband Jimmy who has been our provider. Once he even worked three jobs to provide for us
• She is bi-lingual with her primary language being Spanish and I can only speak English

In spite of all our differences, we love each other dearly. When I think of Carmen, I feel such love for her and am blessed to have her in my life.

My grandchildren love us both and we are so very different. There is no competition between us because we have embraced each other's heart.

It is amazing how your attitude can change and your life can be so much better and richer when you allow yourself to appreciate another's world rather than finding fault with it.

It is amazing how your life will be so much richer when you are able to see the richness in a person's life rather than where they live or where the come from.

This list could go on and on in the ways that Carmen has enriched my life and the life of my grandchildren. We are not in competition with each other. We have learned to embrace each other and that richness has been brought to our entire family.

Oh, and did I mention that my son-in-law, Dewey, and I are so much closer because I love his mother so much.

Think about this principle with your family or your life circles and you might be surprised the way things can change in the area of relationships. Your life will be richer and so much better.

Anne