How a Grandmother and Grandson Are Bridging the Gap

By Susan “Honey” Good

My grandson Robbie and I were asked to write on “bridging the gap” between generations and honestly it’s easy for us. We communicate on a regular basis and that keeps us close. I am able to share my lessons with him. Here are our musings on our relationship and how we “bridge the gap” despite the years between us.  

Bridging the gap: Robbie

When I think of my grandmother, Honey, two sayings come to mind:

First, “Always See the Glass Half Full.” Second, “Watch Your Back Side.” These two phrases describe how I see my grandma perfectly.

She has always taught me to look at the world and find the good, find the positive. Even in the hardest of circumstances, there is inherent good as long as you look at the situation through this lens. She has instilled in me that lens and at times when I don’t necessarily see through it, she reminds me to look at the world through it.

The second phrase is “Watch Your Back Side,” which she has said to me countless times ending our phone conversations. Sometimes when she says it, it feels like she is saying “Keep your chin up” or “You’ve got this!” — it makes me feel grown up in a way that isn’t scary or overwhelming. I feel empowered. I feel more in control.

So, my grandma, my Honey, has taught me how to look at the world. She’s taught me that you are in control of the way you look at tough situations and that you should feel empowered enough to prepare yourself for what the world will throw at you. These lessons continue to be extremely valuable to me.

Always see the glass half full.

Bridging the gap: Susan “Honey” Good

When my first grandson, Robbie was born, I recall thinking, “The greatest gifts I can leave this grandchild of mine is what I leave him in his head.” The first important gift, many followed, took place when he was four. It was time for milk and cookies. I had an idea. I would fill the glass half full and place it between us on the small kitchen table; sit across from him, put my head down to his level and ask him, “Robbie, do you see this glass half full or half empty?” This grandchild of mine, looked at the glass and replied, “Half full, Honey.”
I jumped up! I hugged him to me! I ran into the play room, grabbed a piece of construction paper and four colored magic markers and together we drew four tall glasses, colored them half way up green, red, yellow and blue and at the top of the construction paper, I wrote, Always See the Glass Half Full. Years later I had an artist do a rendering in oils of our art project. The painting hangs in Robbie’s home today.

Robbie is now in his twenties. He wears all of his hats well. He is a producer, a husband, a father, a wonderful son and grandson and a great friend. His lifestyle reassures me my message made a deep impression on him. He knows life is 10% of what happens and 90% how you handle it. He knows the world is his oyster for the taking. Once a month we have our regular lunch date at our favorite little restaurant and share our thoughts. Every week we check in by phone or text. He never forgets my birthday and I always receive a grandmother card on Mother’s Day. I wear a red kabbalah string, a gift from Robbie, around my wrist ‘to guard and protect me.’ I am blessed. I love this grandson, of mine.

Susan “Honey” Good is the founder of HoneyGood.com where this blog originally appeared. The site is a collection of lessons learned, life advice and insights from not only her, but from a fantastic group of contributing writers, each adding their own spice to the recipe. Honey Good.com representing “a family tree of women” — wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters, aunts, cousins and girlfriends — coming together to talk about what makes them tick as well as what they have in common. Honey Good discusses life experiences with wisdom, humor and intellect, enabling all to attain a “Honey Good Style of Life.”