For those who don’t know me, my name is Kate, and I am the artist behind 8 Crew Designs. I am a mum to my two children and a stepmum to another four. At 47 years old, I am about to become a grandma later this week! To say I am excited is an understatement. I can’t wait!
My daughter and her partner are scheduled to welcome their daughter this week, making her my first grandchild. My partner, Troy, and I are beyond excited to meet this little bundle of perfection and embark on our journey together as grandparents.
Reflecting on motherhood, I realize that my life's success has always been tied to being a mum, inspired by my own beautiful mum. The transition from being a hands-on, "in the trenches" mum to supporting my daughter as she becomes a mum herself has been an emotional rollercoaster. I have been really struggling to find my place in this new family. Throughout the pregnancy and transition from mum to grandma I have found immense support from both my mum and my partner, Troy.
Emotions have been running high as the due date approaches. However, this week feels different. I have made peace with who I am and my new role in the life of my daughter and her new family. I look back fondly on the time my kids spent with my parents and hope to offer the same love and devotion to my grandkids that my parents gave to my children.
I am excited for our first Christmas with all generations of our family in one place. Becoming a grandma is definitely one of my life’s highlights and I am so excited for this next step.
I have so many hopes and dreams for my new granddaughter. My daughter is strong-willed, ambitious, and kind. My hope is that her baby inherits these qualities. I wish nothing but health, love, and connection for their new little family.
Life has taught me many lessons, often the hard way. I believe true happiness comes not from physical things but from feeling grounded, connected, and loved. The lesson I’d love to share with my grandchildren is that happiness is about finding peace in difficult situations and seeing the good in whatever you have.
Reflecting on the past few months, I understand that my feelings have been challenging. Shifting from mothering and being needed to feeling like I would no longer be needed has been a lot to wrap my head and heart around. But now, I can see the little miracle that is about to join our family and boy is she already so loved.
I am deeply excited for the coming weeks and months as I witness my daughter and her partner form their own family, with its own traditions. I hope that some of the traditions my daughter experienced growing up will be shared with her children. Christmas traditions like gingerbread house building and decorating the tree have always been joyous and memorable occasions for me and my kids.
To the newest member of our family: you are so loved and deeply cared for, and you aren’t even earthside yet. We love you and wish you a lifetime of health and true happiness. May you have times where you laugh so hard your face and belly hurt. But mostly, I hope you always feel loved and supported by me as your grandma. Your mum is my first true love and the one who made me a mother. You are so lucky to have such a beautiful woman to be your mum.