Diana had always longed for grandchildren, a simple wish really. Yet on her 60th birthday, it became a reality — though not quite as she’d imagined. Her only daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Michael, presented her with the news: “Mum, you’re going to be a grandmother!”
Diana had always worked as a university lecturer, dedicating herself to raising Caroline to be an honest, independent, and wise woman. After retiring, she found herself feeling increasingly lonely and often spoke to Caroline: “It’s time, dear. I’d love to be a grandma.”
Caroline was an energetic and driven individual, married to Michael, a successful software developer. Together, they’d experienced so much — launching an online store, hitchhiking across Europe, attending motorcycle festivals, living in hostels across Portugal, cycling around the UK, and ringing in the New Year at a campsite. Caroline wasn’t one for skirts or cosmetics and had met Michael at a summer music festival somewhere along the River Thames.
When Diana broached the topic of grandchildren once more, Caroline surprised everyone by agreeing. During Diana’s birthday celebration, Caroline made the unforgettable announcement: “Mom, you’re going to be a grandma!” Joy spread through the room, Diana was over the moon. From that moment on, she began knitting booties, shopping for baby clothes, and reading all about newborns online. Meanwhile, Caroline and Michael carried on as usual, indulging in trips, meetings, and exciting projects. Caroline, who found pregnancy easy, often said, “I’m not ill; I’m simply expecting.”
Trouble started seven months in when Caroline was barred from boarding a plane to India due to her pregnancy. She wasn’t upset about Michael flying off alone but rather vexed with the airline, grumbling, “Terrible service.”
A baby boy arrived soon after, named James — blond-haired with blue eyes, an angel to behold. Diana cried tears of joy. Yet the bliss was short-lived. Even in the hospital Caroline announced, “I won’t be breastfeeding. I want my own life.” She had even organized a nanny through an agency. However, Diana’s stern look stopped her in her tracks. “A nanny, over my dead body,” she declared resolutely. And thus it began.
From when James was three months old, he became Diana’s world. Each morning she arrived at their apartment and returned home late every night, tending to all his needs with love. One day, Michael received news of a house for sale in Thailand at a bargain price — an opportunity too good to miss. He and Caroline jetted away, planning to leave James with Diana “for just a week.”
A week turned into a month, then two, but Caroline didn’t return. When she did appear, it was nearly a year later for James’s first birthday. She spent two days with him then claimed “duty calls” and vanished once more, leaving Diana with a kiss for James and some cash. “We’ll come back when he’s about five. In the meantime, hire a nanny, don’t wear yourself out.”
Diana refused. James wasn’t a burden but her joy and reason to live. She shared every moment with him, whispered stories, taught him his first words. True, it wasn’t easy, age made it challenging. Yet the heart remains young.
She spent each day with him: at the park, on walks, at doctor’s appointments. And Caroline continued sending pictures of beaches, surfing, cocktails, and her “new horizons.” But Diana knew these horizons held no place for James. She firmly believed that one day James would understand who had been there, by his side. Because grandchildren aren’t gifts for birthdays; they are born to be cherished and loved.
