It’s no secret that being a grandparent is one of the most rewarding jobs in life, but what if you’re robbed of that experience?
Writing to online chat forum Reddit, a concerned woman revealed her mother-in-law is dying from cancer and doesn’t have long left. Admitting she’s not yet ready to have children, she’s now worried that when she does, they’ll never know their wonderful grandmother.
The concerned writer asked readers for their ideas on how to keep her memory alive for her future children, and it got a flood of ideas and responses from others who have been in a similar position.
“My mother in law was recently diagnosed with cancer that cannot be cured. It is estimated she has about a year left, maybe a few more. She is now starting treatment which will hopefully stop the growth of the tumour,” she wrote.
The woman, 22, said she’s been with her partner for six years, adding: “Although we do not want kids right now as we are not ready for that, we certainly want them in the future.”
She added: “We are both having a hard time with the realisation that she will never be a grandmother. She is an amazing person and very kind to others. She would have made a great grandma.”
The woman said they want to create something that her future children can remember their grandma by, adding they have been collecting photos of her.
“We have been thinking about a video or a photo collection, but we do not want the material to only cover her illness, since the illness is not what defines her as a person. Please share with us your ideas on how to do this,” she pleaded.
Readers were quick to offer their own ideas, with many suggesting prewritten letters, birthday cards and graduation cards.
“Record her telling stories about her life. Her childhood, how she met her husband, anything she can think of,” one commentator wrote.
Another added: “If she has any skills, ask her to make something for the grandkids. For example: writing down her cooking recipes or making a baby blanket.”
And another suggested taking her on a tour of her life, adding: “She could take you on a tour of places she lived, studied, worked, etc. Record the tours as you walk around. Go to her old elementary and high school. Visit the home she grew up in. Visit the home she raised her son in. Go to places she loves, and have her explain why.”
Meanwhile, one commentator said: “Most importantly, ask her how she wants to be remembered, and make sure her story is told.”