Yep, I’m a grandmother who is affectionately called Mimi. I still have a hard time believing this new role in my life is real because I envisioned a different reality for my life as a grandmother. I’m used to my life vision and plans regularly derailing, but I was confident my life as a grandma would go as planned in my dreams. HA! Joke on me.

The joy and close bond with my granddaughter is going as I dreamed; for that I’m grateful. Yet nothing else is going as I dreamed it. I never dreamed my grandma journey would begin and grow in a multigenerational household that included my grandchild. I never dreamed I’d be battling health issues & physical limitations that impeded my physical ability and tolerance capacity to create magical moments of fun & learning with my grandchild. I never imagined not having a room dedicated to my grandchild in my home. I never thought I’d feel so torn between the parenting dynamics & preferences of my child, myself, and our village. Most of all, I never imagined I’d not be more actively pouring into my grandchild the faith and religious practices I hold onto and live out. Of course, these things entail more minor things that are not aligned with the grandmother journey I had envisioned for myself.

Despite this journey not going as planned, many blessings remind me that God ALWAYS works things out for my good. The biggest blessing being I get to spend time with my granddaughter daily. I have an actively present role and presence in her life; which, in these early years, is a rewarding gift. Another big blessing is that my granddaughter gets the privilege of getting to engage with her great-grandparents, not just one great-grandparent as was my experience. I admit these gifts make the shifted vision worth it.

Despite the reality I live, I still spend most days not responding when someone refers to me as grandma when speaking with my granddaughter. I usually default to my mom or my mother-in-love in those moments until I’m reminded that I’m the grandma. I often feel as though I’m still learning and earning my stripes, so I’m not quite suited for the esteemed honor of Grandmother. Maybe that’s the real reason I preferred a fun moniker versus a variation of the word grandmother. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying this unbelievable journey as a grandmother. I’m learning to accept my reward of being allowed to be my granddaughter’s Mimi and all that comes along with the title. I’m grateful God saw fit for this journey to begin when it did because it saved me and my kids. God always knows best and the surreality of my new role is made tangible when my granddaughter, my Sugah Luv, calls out “Mimi” as her big smile and deep dimples light up her face. Yep, I’m a grandmother.