‘I moved from overseas to be closer to my grandchildren’

I remember the day clearly that my first grandchild was born. It was to be a caesarian section, so we were pacing the floor on the day waiting for the call. I remember my own mother’s anguish as she had waited for the arrival of my son, whose child I was now waiting for and I finally realised that the arrival of a grandchild is just as huge an emotion as the birth of your own children.

I was working in a call centre and my daughter was also in the same workplace so the two of us were continually running from one floor to the next to see if there was news. My daughter got the message first as she was a manager and was allowed to have her phone on. She immediately flew up to my floor and said, “Grab your coat mum you are now a granny, let’s get to the hospital”.

Even writing this memory I am filled with emotion. The moment I held my son’s child, my grandchild, in my arms is someting I will always cherish. I know I’m lucky to have children, so I feel doubly grateful for grandchildren and the joy they bring.

I gazed down at the tiny bundle in my arms and looked at the pride on my son’s face, and my heart just swelled with love for this tiny little girl who had expanded our family. Ella Rose, named after her two great grandmothers now passed, is the apple of my eye and my love for her equalled that for my own children. Ella now has a brother Joseph who brings equal joy, they are funny, loving, and because they are my grandchildren, when they are naughty I can hand them back!

We have moved across the world from Scotland to Sydney in order to be close to our grandchildren. Everything we have given up to be with them has been worth it.

I embrace being able to attend grandparent celebrations at school, cheer them on at sports days, and watch their progress in the swimming pool. As their only relatives in this country we know how important our presence in their lives is and for the time being that is our priority.

It’s a wonderful feeling to see some of your children’s personality traits in their children, but even more fun to see your own in them. Ella loves gymnastics and thinks it’s wonderful if granny can still do a cartwheel with her and teach her to do a somersault over the monkey bars. Like me she loves writing stories. If these memories are the legacy I eventually leave behind, I’ll be happy with that.

How many grandchildren do you have? What impact have they had on your life?

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