I was a young mother. I did a lot of things wrong. I was impatient - mostly. And struggling financially. One of my kids had severe health issues. There were a lot of spinning plates in those days.

A bit over eleven years ago, my oldest granddaughter was born & turned me into Nana. Just. Like. That. It's a whole different ballgame with the grandkids. I'm not the responsible adult in the equation. I'm support staff. I get all the fun with nearly none of the responsibility. I've been as involved as I could be with my now - three - granddaughters. And am grateful beyond measure that their parents receive me for visits & include me in important events.

My older daughter - the one with the health issues - made the decision not to have kids. And I firmly support it. If my younger daughter had made the same choice, I would support her as well.

Being a grandparent is scary at times. As much as you love your kids - there are now these other little people in your world - and you love them too. Your love is doubled down - but so is your vulnerability.

And that might be the true reason people post so many photos of their grandkids. It's not pride - or trying to put one up on another being. It's awe. It's a spell whispered into the future - these are mine - please watch over them.

I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I came close to losing a child, on more than one occasion & just peering over the edge of that chasm still gives me nightmares - 30 years later. It is a pain no parent should have to suffer. And yet, it exists in spite of the complete wrongness of it all.