You Only Have 18 Summers Before They Fly
This month, I invite you into a personal moment — one that many grandmothers may know all too well: the turning of a page, the shifting of seasons, the slow, silent goodbye that comes with growing up.
I came home the other day, keys in hand, sun soft on my shoulders, and stopped at the porch.
I heard the sounds of laughter and music blaring from the basement
That meant my granddaughter was visiting, and so were her friends.
Some of these kids, I’ve watched grow up, almost like my own.
I’ve fed them sandwiches at midnight, handed out towels, offered advice they didn’t ask for, and loved them anyway.
They call me “Nana” or “Nanina” or sometimes just “Hey!” from the fridge door.
And now… these voices belong to graduates. Some of them 6 feet tall – yikes. lol
Eighteen. WOW. Eighteen.
They are all eighteen.
That strange, magical, heartbreaking age — when childhood finally let’s go and life starts to pull.
It’s the summer of “lasts.”
Last summer before they scatter.
Last summer of sleepovers on couches and wet footprints on the floor.
Last summer, I’ll likely see all of them together at the same time.
And I can feel it in my bones — the shift.
A soft ache, right behind the ribs.
They say you get 18 summers.
That’s what all the books, posts, and wise voices say.
Eighteen.
That number has been ringing in my heart all week.
I’m standing in it. Summer number 18.
And it’s different. It’s not louder, or wilder — it’s quieter in its joy. Deeper.
Every laugh from the backyard feels more golden now.
Every empty snack bag on the counter, more precious.
Every pair of shoes kicked into a pile — a little goodbye I wasn’t ready for.
This porch has been their runway.
And soon, it’ll be their Launchpad.
Universities, jobs, travels, first apartments, first heartbreaks… life is coming fast.
And this grandmother?
Well, she’s holding back tears in the doorway,
I tell myself to soak it up.
The mess, the noise, the late-night giggles.
The refrigerator that empties by noon, the wet towels that never get hung up.
It all means they’re here.
But I know.
I know the porch will grow quiet.
The shoes will fade — replaced by silence and time.
And maybe the visits will be fewer.
Maybe the couch will stay untouched for weeks.
Maybe summer will feel more like memory than moment.
Still, I will not rush this goodbye.
I will not let tomorrow’s ache steal today’s joy.
So I’ll buy the snacks.
I’ll keep the pool open.
I’ll let them fall asleep mid-movie and wake up at noon.
I’ll say yes more often and hug a little longer.
I’ll sit on the porch and listen to their music and pretend I like it.
Because this is the summer I will remember when they’re gone.
This is the porch I’ll look at when I miss them.
This is the moment I’ll tuck in my heart like a keepsake.
Let them remind me — this house was full. And so was my heart.
And when the last summer child leaves the porch for good…
…I will still be here.
Waiting, hoping, loving, and praying.
Because a grandmother’s porch is never truly empty.
It’s just waiting for the next return.
💻 Building a Strong Bond in a Digital World
The days of handwritten letters might be fading (FYI, I still write letters to my grandchildren every month - but more on that another time), but that doesn’t mean we can’t stay close to our grandkids! Connect with them using technology they relate to:
🔹 1. Text Like a Pro – Even if emojis and GIFs aren’t your thing, sending a simple “Thinking of you ❤️” can brighten their day. Bonus points if you use their lingo!
🔹 2. Play Online Games Together – Whether it’s Wordle, chess, or even a silly mobile game, grandkids love it when we step into their world.
🔹 3. Virtual Story Time – For younger grandkids, record yourself reading a bedtime story or schedule weekly FaceTime story sessions. A great way to stay connected across the miles!
📌 Modern Nana Tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, ask your grandkids to teach you about their favorite app—trust me, they’ll love being the teacher for once!
🔥 Grandmother Spotlight: Meet Sandra!
This week, we’re celebrating Sandra, 58, a fitness coach and grandmother of four who uses FaceTime workouts to stay active with her grandkids.
“I wanted to find a way to bond with them, so now we do mini yoga sessions together—even my 3-year-old granddaughter joins in!”
Sandra’s advice: “Never be afraid to step into their world. The more interest you show, the more they’ll want to include you.”
🙌 Know an inspiring grandmother? Nominate her for next week’s feature!
📚 Must-Reads
📖 Book for Your Grandkids: Charlotte’s Web – This was my favorite book when I was a child
This beloved book by E. B. White, author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, is a classic of children's literature that is "just about perfect."
E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
💬 Quote of the Week:
"You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing." – George Bernard Shaw
🎉 Until Next Time…
What’s one way you connect with your grandkids in today’s digital world? Reply and let me know—I’d love to share your tips next time!
💖 Stay vibrant, stay modern, stay YOU.