The Blessing of Being a “Mimi”

By Carol Doyel –

I’m a busy woman, like many women I know, we have full lives!  I love it and I’m not complaining but I have more things on my list then there seems to be time for in the day. I’m an eternal optimist and I’ve always thought that I can do more, and often in less time, than I can. I just love life and want to squeeze in as much of it as I can. I was just telling my husband how hard it is to believe that seven years have passed since our daughter was married and our son-in-law started teaching school in Oregon where we lived prior to moving around the country for my husband’s work.

It seems as though it was just a couple of years ago that they were married, it brings tears to my eyes thinking about how quickly time has passed but it’s made me more grateful for the time we get to spend with them. They bless us and we appreciate their hearts, their love for one another and their love for each of their families.  It’s been fun watching them grow, both spiritually and physically, with a daughter who is almost three years old and another beautiful little girl born on June 7.

We also have a son and a fiancé who have a little boy, Mason, who turns two in Nov., who we also love spending time with, and a younger son who is single – We enjoy spending time with all of our kids and grandkids. Each of them hold a special place in our heart.

All I can say is my cup runneth over!

My grand children have stole my heart away, I was caught off guard a bit when I became a grandma, actually I’m a“Mimi” as my three year old granddaughter refers to me. I knew I would love being a grandma, but it’s better than I imagined it would be. What a privilege it is to have these wonderful children to pray for.

One of the benefits of being a grandparent, not being with them 24 – 7 is it gives me plenty of time to think, pray and seek God for how to pray for them. I can remember when my own were small how consuming it was to just keep up with the basic needs of caring for them, a home and work. Now I get to be a Mimi and enjoy them when I’m with them, love on them and provide for them in ways that sometimes their own mom’s and dad’s may not be able to – or in a different way.

With the birth of our newest granddaughter it has made me realize how precious life is and I am grateful for the time I get to spend with all three of our grand kids. With a business, traveling and moving like we have the last couple of years it can be challenging to make time to be with my kids and grandkids as often as I would like to, but I know the most important calling of all in this season is being Mimi.

Our greatest gifts and blessings sometimes come late in life, hopefully not too late to enjoy them.

Carol Doyel is Editor-in-Chief and Founder of LivingBetter50.com. She and her husband of 25 years have three grown kids and two grandchildren.  They spilt their time between Sisters Oregon and where ever her husband’s work may take them, which is currently in southern California. Her desire is to inspire other women to live better physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.