Dear Diary: Driveway visits are nice, but this grandmother just wants a hug

CBCCalgarywants to knowhow you are living these days. What are you doing differently? What makes you laugh? Cry? Scream? Have you started a new hobby? Let us know.

In this instalment of our series, Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, Kathi Lalonde from Millarville, Alta., tells us how she's connecting with her grandsons and the lessons she's learning from them. This submission has been edited for clarity and length.

Remembering the way it used to beseems so far away now. I am realizing more than ever that my three grandsons are growing up quickly without the constant interactions with us, their grandparents.

Sleepovers with the grandkids, day trips to the zoo and the memories of their revelations and discoveries are beginning to feel far away.

"Look what I found, Grandmamma?" I'd hear as three-year-old Tommy would squeal holding up an interesting rock.

Or, "I did it!I did it!All by myself!"Lucas, 6, would shout when he rode his bicycle for the first time without training wheels.

"I want Grandmamma to hold me!" my grandson Ollie would shout, exerting his new two-year-old powers. He just couldn't carry himself one more step on a day trip at Heritage Park, and I was only too happy to oblige.

Sounds, images, experiences all fading into the past tense.

It's been two months since spending "real" time with the grandkids. Oh, we've had a couple of driveway visits, but it's not the same.

When schools were closed, I decided that I could help out with a bit of homeschooling using FaceTime. At the same time, I could enjoy some semblance of interaction with my three grandsons.

I decided to start with eldest, Lucas. Having a background in education made this fairly easy, but capturing and maintaining the attention of a six-year-old through video calls would require some imagination. I would spend numerous evenings devising lessons. Ihad a renewed sense of purpose.

Once activities were created, based on children's stories and the kindergarten curriculum, I would drop off care packages of storybooks and materials on my grandkids' front porch.

Surprisingly, the FaceTime lessons actually worked out quite well. Storybooks would be read in unison and math games would be played. Lucas actually loved the activities, and his two brothers quickly wanted in on the action.

What wasn't so surprising was how much the feelings of adoration and accomplishment would delight the grandkids. But truly, I think I probably had the most fun and fulfilment.

I've learned a few things through this experience during COVID-19. I always thought it was the grandkids who needed us during their tender years, only to discover that it was us who needed them.

I know there is a little part of me that will miss these new experiences. But suffice it to say, I can't wait to give them real hugs and feel that grandparenting love again.

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