Tag: #grandchildren

Hot Cocoa Blessings

Posted on December 3, 2025 by JANET L BARKER

Exhausted. Euphoric. Somewhat crippled. Grateful. At peace. These are my emotions as I wait to board the plane at JFK, bound for the Southland and in a few days the Central Coast of California. I’ve been here for a little more than two weeks,… Continue Reading “Hot Cocoa Blessings”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #christmas, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #hotcocoa, #littlekids, #love, #newyorkcity, #sentimental, #writing, family, life, love, memories

Trust The Women

Posted on December 12, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

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For all the years I’ve been visiting my daughter, I rarely explore The City solo. That’s the best way to learn, when you have to figure it out by yourself. Like learning a language, when all roads lead back to you, you eventually get hip. Or… Continue Reading “Trust The Women”

Category: #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgood, UncategorizedTags: #adultchildren, #bestlifeever, #family, #grandchildren, #grandma #travelinggrandma, #lifeizgood, #lostinmanhattan, #loveofgrandchildren, #manhattan, #newyorkcity, #nyc, #peace, #retirement, #travel, @retirement, coffee, columbuscircle, family, food, life

A Whole New World

Posted on February 17, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

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Waking up to snow when you’re a native Southern Californian, not in your own bed, but in the bed you’ve modified to make your own, feels as if I’m gazing out the window of Apollo 13: the glistening, marshmallow puffs of new fallen snow… Continue Reading “A Whole New World”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #diversitycounts, #embracediversity, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #hope, #immigration, #inclusivity, #loveeverymoment, #lovenothate, #lovetheyneighborsasthyself, #nyc, #retiredteacher, #winter, #winterinnyc

Breaking Bad and other News of the Day

Posted on January 13, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

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You’ve caught me in a Hope Diamond moment: I’m alone. In the apartment. Windows and blinds wide open—high winds and 30-degree temps be damned. I’m in short sleeves. Showered. Hair brushed. Pink lipstick applied. Perfume generously spritzed. Funny how simple acts can make you… Continue Reading “Breaking Bad and other News of the Day”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #breakingbad, #children, #daughters, #grandchildren, #grandmas, #grandparents, #hope, #mother-daughterrelationshipss, #newbabies, #newmexico, #newyorkcity, #nyc, #parenting, #retiredteacher, #whenitstimetogo, family, love, mama, mom, motherhood

Two weeks ago …

Posted on January 1, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

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It’s 1 a.m. and the apartment is quiet. The parents are taking their shifts, The Littles are in Dreamland and I’m two glasses into a new bottle of Rangeland Cabernet and the final season of “The Crown”. It’s raining outside and will do so… Continue Reading “Two weeks ago …”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #2024, #bestlifeever, #findingthegood, #god, #grandchildren, #grandma, #grandparents, #grassisntalwaysgreener, #hope, #joy, #parenting, #peace, aging, family, happynewyear, love, memories, newyearsresolutions

On the Verge of Tomorrow

Posted on September 1, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day, there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow’s just a dream away.” I hummed along to that tune every time I walked from Disneyland through Downtown Disney to our hotel room.… Continue Reading “On the Verge of Tomorrow”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #teaching, @retirement, unconditional loveTags: ##portofinohotel, #centralcoast, #change, #disneyland, #grandchildren, #newyork, #redondobeach, #thenextchapter, #timepassestooquickly, love

Eternal flame

Posted on July 18, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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This is the summer of wee ones. Under three. Over ten. And those in between. A gaggle of boys and one girl. My grandchildren, starting from the oldest, Jack, Bronson, Millie, and Hudson. Twinkling stars that light up my world. I’m here in New… Continue Reading “Eternal flame”

Category: #education, #grandparents, #teaching, @retirementTags: #almuratsuchi, #appletv, #bethechange, #caassembly, #climatechange, #congress, #eternalflame, #extrapolations, #globalwarming, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #heatwave, #hope, #inspiration, #JFK, #newyorksummer, #redondobeach, #sizzlingtemperatures, #tedlieu, #thewhitehouse, #unitednations

May 16, 1956—Today

Posted on May 16, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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When it’s your birthday and you’re 67… Don’t need a party. Don’t need presents. Don’t need to go out to dinner. Don’t even need to book a massage. Because everything I need and want, I have. I get to look at the ocean every… Continue Reading “May 16, 1956—Today”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #birthday, #friends, #grandchildren, #gratitude, #hope, #joy, #love, #mindfulness, #retirement

Goodbye

Posted on August 15, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

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I’ve saved the hardest until last. I’ve junked and stored, celebrated and cried. I’ve doubted and been certain. I’ve had my rounds (and rounds) (and rounds) of Lasts: last time I watered, last time I slept in a proper bed, last time I took… Continue Reading “Goodbye”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #change, #faith, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #homevshouse, #hope, #legacy, #newbeginning, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #sellingthefamilyhome, #thenextchapter, #thisisthefirstdayofmylife, #writers, #writing

It’s kinda like this…

Posted on April 25, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

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Since last we left, B’s medical troubles have continued to decline, I still dig my new love, Led Zeppelin, and the theme of CHANGE hurricanes like a News at 11 Accuweather forecast. Tail end of March, beginning of April, lucky girl me got to… Continue Reading “It’s kinda like this…”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #centralpark, #faith, #grandchildren, #grandmothers, #grandparents, #hope, #joy, #loveeverymoment, #newyorkcity, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #takethetimetolisten, #whatareyouwaitingfor?

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