GRAND Magazine - November/December 2008 - 33

Give Your Granddaughter the Gift of Conﬁdence equipped with the internal electronics that allow us to comprehend exactly what’s going on in an adolescent’s head. Nicole’s rebellious spirit manifested itself in a bedroom that resembled the aftermath of a tornado’s direct hit, and in arguments that could reach the shrill pitch of a descending missile. She was all emotion, all high drama. As her artwork drew praise, her sense of responsibility seemed to lower in direct proportion to her abilities. School was never as important as friends, and homework never so demanding that it could not be slapped together at the last minute under the intensity of grandparental badgering. Well-known artists who viewed her work told us not to worry; they’d been the same way when they were young. Her flashes of independence should not be taken as madness but as an assertion of will that would someday mark the individuality of her work. Meanwhile, do what you can to survive. issue! FREE “Rest assured that this magazine is not ﬂuff! I read many of the articles and was amazed at the quality of information and guidance given.” –BONITA G. KAAKE Raising a rebellious granddaughter is not dissimilar to, say, bull riding. Despite her, well, “assertions,” Nicole could also display a generosity of spirit that spoke to the traditional bond between girls and their grandfathers. Influenced by the “martini sessions,” she had known what I preferred since she was young. At restaurants, she’d order for me: “He would like a Gray Goose vodka martini straight up with two olives on the side.” I’m not sure her parents were thrilled by her ability to name my booze, but it became an element of our bond. I missed that most when she went off on her own. Gone were the upheavals that had marked her presence, but gone too were the glowing moments that say there is life here, there is emotion and youth. Still, we see her often as she moves upward in the world, already selling her paintings. Involved at last in a life that had called from birth, Nicole has sweetened; she considers us her second parents. On the eve of her 21st birthday, she was asked what she would like as a gift. Looking directly at me, she replied with a smile, “A martini with my grandpa.” There could not have been a more loving, unique expression of our bond. We had that martini together at a lounge fit for the occasion. She only took a sip and, thankfully, confided that she really didn’t like martinis. It was the moment that counted. G Parents’ Choice Award Winner! Order her free issue now! w! Go to DiscoveryGirls.com/GRAND We’ll bill you later! 6 issues $19.95/year Award-Winning Magazine by Girls, for Girls Discovery Girls makes the transition from little girl to teenager a whole lot easier by showing girls ages 8 and up that they’re not the only ones with so many questions. Girls ﬁnd comfort, conﬁdence, and inspiration in every issue—plus a whole lot of laughter, friends, and fun. Each issue contains articles on: School Challenges Friendship Issues Inspiring Stories Plus: Our Readers are Our Writers and Stars

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GRAND Magazine - November/December 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - November/December 2008