New grandmother reflects on family love

Katherine Lawrence of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, received a “New Grandma” pin and began to consider her new role after her daughter announced her pregnancy.

Lawrence explains she consciously chose motherhood, but becoming a grandmother felt like something that happened to her. She tracked the pregnancy with an app and eagerly awaited the birth of her grandson, a boy weighing nine pounds and seven ounces.

Lawrence notes she feels awestruck by joining the community of grandparents, understanding the eagerness of friends to share photos and updates. She connects this feeling to her own mother, realizing her mother’s sometimes harsh discipline stemmed from a desire to protect her children. Lawrence recalls her mother became more affectionate with her grandchildren than she had been with Lawrence and her sister, possibly because she had more time and space later in life.

Becoming a grandmother has expanded Lawrence’s heart, filling her with love for her grandson and for her daughter as she experiences motherhood. Lawrence and her daughter haven't discussed this change, but she understands it’s a love that may be impossible to fully express, similar to the unconditional love her mother showed. Lawrence reflects on her mother’s sacrifices and the joyful ways she connected with her own daughters, realizing this legacy of love now continues with a new generation.