No poem that I might write would express your own feelings; you must write
the poem yourself. In fact, you have almost written it already.
Instead of addressing it to me, address it to your grandmothers, each of them.
You want to tell the one in Colorado what a true grandmother is.
Well, SHE is a true grandmother. She is the parent of one of your parents, and
that's the definition. She has spent many years and much energy and intelligence
in the process of providing this world with the person who became your parent.
The love that went into that entire project has now spilled over to you and
everything you enjoy of life comes to you entirely because of the love and
attention that came originally from that grandmother.
Don't think for a moment that she wants nothing to do with you. She may not
have any way to express her feelings, and she may be too busy, or too tired
(yes, old people do get tired) to spend any time showing her affection for you,
but you can bet she is watching and is proud of you without ever telling you how she feels.
Send her a poem - just a few lines - about how you know that your own happiness
today is due to what she has done. You could also mention that if your own life is
as useful as hers has been, you will be content.
As for your grandmother in Arizona, you can be the person who prevents her
from dying of a broken heart. Write to her with the same sentiments as for the
one in Colorado. She needs to be reassured that people still care a great deal
for her, even though she has lost her husband. It is easy to feel that nobody
cares anymore. You can be the one who makes her know that people do care,
particularly you.
When you write to her don't chatter on and on about your grandfather who is now
dead. Just write things about the grandmother who is still living. She needs the
reassurance that she is important now and not just an adjunct of your grandfather.
She will be thinking a lot about her time with him and doesn't need you to remind
her. So just write about her and how important she is because of the fact that she
brought your parent into the world and that you appreciate her greatly.
There now, go ahead and write the poem. It can be the same for both. It doesn't
have to be in fancy words or it doesn't even have to rhyme. When we were young
we felt that every poem should have rhyme and rhythm, but these days all you
need is a good thought.
So sit down to your computer and write the words that you want them to hear.
Then print them out and send them to each of your grandmothers.
You will be making two people very happy.
Yours sincerely,
GG
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