The Youngest Granddaughter

My husband, Gene, and I were over the moon with the additions of our four daughters to our family. These four girls taught us the art of parenting. Our girls carefully and thoughtfully guided us through toddler years, childhood years, and the challenge of their teen and high school years.

And then suddenly, in the blink of an eye, they were looking at colleges. I can remember the day, like it was yesterday, when daughter No. 1 was packed and ready to leave for college. Her journey turned out to be more interesting and challenging. The road she chose was a more meandering one and did not begin at the University of Georgia. She chose a rival university. However, eventually, the “Dawgs” won her over. This move cleared the way for her three sisters. And in doing so, a University of Georgia legacy was born.

In time, they met and married my son-in-loves … then our prayers were answered (10 times) when they anointed us with new identities. Gene and I became known as Savta and Zaide.

Once again, we were experiencing the adorable toddler years, childhood years, teen years and high school years. Then, in the blink of an eye, they were considering colleges.

Some of my 10 “Grands” (this is the way I address these beautiful humans because they are indeed grand), chose the University of Georgia as their university of choice.

Suddenly, and way too quickly, it was time for the youngest of my granddaughters to choose a university. She chose the University of Georgia, of course, keeping the family legacy alive, following in her mother’s and her aunt’s footsteps.

However, the only resemblance between my daughters’ moves to the university and her move ended at the name of said house of higher learning.

Starting with the admission process through choosing a dormmate all seemed so much more complicated. My girls did not have the Internet to rob them of a simpler time. The good old days of the late 1980s and early 1990s were simply a memory.

As each of my four daughters left home headed to their university of choice and the beginning of their four-year journey to their future, I admit I found myself feeling quite emotional. I was thrilled for each of them, but so sad to know their childhood was coming to an end.

When the time came for my youngest granddaughter to choose a university, and begin her journey into her future, I once again became emotional, on so many levels.

And so, it goes! It will be just another blink of the eye before we see if her brother, my youngest Grand, follows in her footsteps.