An active grandchild is the best present to a grandma.

At my age there are lots of grandmas I come across. Most of them are too plump, too sedentary, always in a lazy chair in front of the television.

However, there is one grandma I know of who just does not have the pleasure of relaxing too much in front of the entertainment box. This grandma happens to be one of those lucky people who have a young, very energetic grandchild. From the minute he is awake until his sleep late at night, there is no rest for the adults in the house except when relief comes from the little guy's nap which they certainly look forward to each day.

Well, nowadays, more often than not, the parents have to be away from the home to be at work somewhere else. So, who is the fortunate one to be given the responsibility of looking after the little guy? It's none other than the old grandma. Yes, the grandma if not the grandpa. And being a widowed grandma, she is the only one saddled with the child.

But that does not mean that you should pity her. Maybe you would but I would not as from my point of view it is a blessing in disguise. Without grandpa to pamper, grandma finds life quite boring, each day cooking a little and then sitting in front of the television to while the time away. That would mean less muscles being worked, muscles soften and turn to fat, resulting in a weak body, the heavy mass of flesh assisted by gravity to pressure down on a good number of joints, jamming them together, and the backbone gradually curve into a hunch with all kind of possible pains and problems.

Now, with a child to look after, to chase after to ensure he does not end up in dangerous places or positions which could bring a fall; to carry off the child from naughty acts in places that are harmful; and just to attend to his/her needs would be enough to give grandma sufficient exercise to burn up excess calories, increase metabolism and build or tone up some muscles, in the process improving the immunity of the body. Not only that, at the end of the day, unlike some old folks who suffer from insomnia, she would have a very deep, much needed sleep. Grandma must thank God for sending her that present, a grandchild.

And the most wonderful part of it all is her happiness. She is so much happier than those aimless days before the coming of this grandchild. Each day there is a growing grandchild she has the responsibility for, putting meaning into her life and a quiet pride that she could still manage to be useful.

There is always a rainbow somewhere. Look for it and it can be found.