A Special Christmas

Every year I have often thought about Selena’s other grandparents. Often wondered if she would ever hear from them. At times there were just unanswered questions about the entire situation. I sent pictures after Selena was born, they had our address, knew where we lived, and even had our phone number, but it just never seemed that she ever heard from them. Over the years I refused to give up, just not knowing how to truly open the door. I knew it had to be through her Dad that this would happen.

This year out of the clear blue, he asked me if I would send his parents a Christmas card. For me it was hard not knowing how they would perceive a card that was definitely a generic family card from all of us, though it had her picture on it. I questioned her Dad, and he assured me that they would think of it as a Christmas card from grandparents to grandparents. I guess I never thought of it that way.

Anyway I sent the card, never really said anything to Selena as I didn’t want her to be confused, or disappointed yet again, or maybe it was me who didn’t want to be disappointed yet again for trying to reach out to be met with a closed door. Anyway it doesn’t matter.

The other day Selena and I walked down to the mail box and we found a Christmas card from her other grandparents. It is a very nice card addressed to all of us. They thanked us for the picture and sent Selena a special note of love. I explained to Selena who the card was from, she was still not sure and had a hard time understanding she had another set of Grandparents. That would be a hard concept for a 5 year old who had never known anyone but the grandparents she lives with, who has only seen her parents a couple of times and really doesn’t even remember those visits.

I decided to call her Dad and let him know that Selena got the card and that she was happy with it. He asked me to call his parents and let them know. I wasn’t sure about this at first, and didn’t tell him I would or that I wouldn’t. After we hung up I thought about the situation while I finished preparing my roast for the oven. I could resist no more. I picked up the phone and called. Her grandmother picked up the phone and was thrilled when I told her who I was.

We talked for a bit, then I tried to get Selena to say hi, but at first Selena shied away. We talked some more, when Selena finally came in and asked to say Merry Christmas. I handed her the phone and the two of them talked. It was sweet to hear Selena wish her a Merry Christmas, and to so softly and a bit confused say “I love you too.” You could tell that Selena just truly didn’t know if she should say that to this person she didn’t know or not.

Afterwards, Selena and I talked I again explained that this was her Grandmother, her Dad’s mom. She looked a little confused, so I explained it a little further. She suddenly got a huge smile on her face and announced, “I have other grandparents out there, I don’t know them, but would love to meet them some day.”

At this point I am thrilled that Dad finally stepped out in faith and opened the door. I am so grateful that they were willing to come through the door for Selena, and I hope that we can move forward and Selena can build some type of relationship with them.