"We know they love us,"

They do...It happens to all of us....Keep loving them and they will come...Gene

I can relate to you on this grandparent thing.  I have two grown sons.  Only one is married and I have one grandson; two step grandchildren.  I have seen my grandson maybe 5 times.  My son married in 2002 and had this little boy in 2003.  My daughter in law doesn't seem to like me; rarely smiles if I am around (no, we have never had any words) and although they take numerous, expensive vacations; they are always with my daughter in law's family.  It is like I don't exist.  I send Christmas presents and birthday presents to all of my grandchildren and my son always makes sure they thank me.  I always thought I would be the perfect grandma but I am really not getting the chance.  My son will be graduating from college this May and I am going to be there; whether anyone likes my presence or not.  I am going with my sister and brother in law and my other son and his lady friend.  We are going to enjoy seeing my son graduate (he quit going when he was younger and you know how hard it is to go back...but he finally did).  It breaks my heart to have a son and grandson who I don't get to see but I don't want to come between them (son and wife) so I just let it go.  I know my son loves me; I just hope he knows that time goes quickly and I won't always be around. 

I know exactly how you feel....I have no grandchildren, but a great nephew, my niece's son.  Until 5 year ago when I lived near him,  I took him every Saturday, hail, rain or shine out for the day.  I did that from him being 4 year old.  Picked him up at 12.00 and brought him home about 6.30.  We did the beach, walked in the park, played football, you name it I tried to introduce him too. I had two cocker spaniels he adored and they came too.  As he got older we did hill walking.  Unfortunately he has Asperger a type of Autism, but very very bright.  I used to love his company he was over awed about everything.  Sorry I have prattled on. My point is he is 19 now and even though I send his presents and email him regularly, I never hear from him.  To me he was like a grandson and I do miss contact with him.  We moved 5 year ago quite a distance from his mum and dad.  So do understand how you must feel. To me it feels like a bond has been broken....NIPJET

We can certainly feel for you! Our children and grandchildren are scattered all over, too. But we have a son and his family that lives about 10 miles from us that we seldom see. We do talk on the telephone a lot, though.

Their lives are sooo busy that they don't have enough to stretch for everything and everyone leaving us not seeing the grandchildren too often. This is something we have learned to accept.

On-the-otherhand, our granddaughter, in Texas, (we're in Iowa) calls almost everyday to make sure we're okay and keep us up on what's going on in her life. And she's married, has a 11/2 year old little girl, a husband she goes to collage, he works full time and goes to collage and they find the time.

In fact, they find the time to come up every year during spring break to visit with us and her parents. The granddaughter that we were closest to in her younger years we hardly hear from.

I guess it all depends on the person. Each one of them's different. I'd much rather not hear from them too often than to have one that comes to stay a few weeks and becomes bossey and abusive. So much so he's no longer welcome in our home.

We wish you the best and pray for you. They are all living their lives not remembering time passes quickly...too quickly.