Skip to main content

What about MK Grandma's?

Well, meet one!
Brazil, 2007
Many know her as Mrs. B but only 6 boys can call her Grandma. All six live far away from her little house on a country road in Virginia with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But Grandma and Grandaddy do their best to keep up with all of their boys no matter where they travel or how far they are from "home."

Read on to learn more about Grandma B, TCK's and long distance grandparenting...

"When a child is born, so are grandmothers." Judith Levy

What is a  TCK?

David Pollack and several other authors began using this abbreviation to describe children who were living outside of their parents home culture. All of Mrs. B's three grandsons by her daughter were born and mostly raised in Brazil. Her other three grandbabies also have lived outside of the States for several years.

In the photo below my boys are soaking their feet. We had to do this often when they were little to get out hookworms. Only one boy on the day of the picture had a hookworm, but everybody wanted to put their feet in water!

Fortaleza, 2004


Terms to Know:

MK - missionary kid
PK - preacher's kid
TCK - third culture kid
POM - parent of missionary

Why is my Mom so special?

She did it! She got a passport. She came to Brazil. She creatively began raising money to support her trips. She brought my Daddy everytime (or he brought her). She learned what each boy liked and was all about. She prays, prays, prays for each of us daily. She spreads the word about us and about missions. She and Daddy have supported our projects and our lifestyle. She's done it all and she keeps on doing!
Petrolina Airport, 2007


More info about TCK's:

TCKs can usually speak more than one language.
In group settings TCKs drift towards other TCKs even from other cultures and countries.
For some all the traveling and moving is fun and exciting, but for many it is rough and difficult to adjust from culture to culture especially to life in their "home" country.

Grandparents can make all the difference in the world for MK's.  Knowing that somewhere there is a place where I can always go no matter what and walk right in the door is a good thing.  Knowing that somewhere is a person related to me by blood that loves me is a good thing.  I'm glad for a great Grandma and Granddaddy that love and pray for all their TCK/MK boys.  They've made the effort to be a part of their lives and keep on ready for whatever the future holds.  They've taken the time to come to Brazil numerous times over the past 18 years just to make sure those grandkids know who they are!

Thanks Mom!  Thanks Dad!

Happy Mother's Day, 2013

Psalm 92:14

They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green...
You can learn more about Grandparents and MK's on the web...


Buy Dave Pollack's book about Third Culture Kids at Amazon...

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for stopping by! Leave me a message if you would.

Popular posts from this blog

Everything New

I'm reading a book for old missionaries about all the crazy things people go through in returning from their field of service to spend time in their home country.  One of the chapters is all about how tough it is to "go home."  Things change and the missionary ends up out of sync with what's new since their last "home" visit. "Coming home" this time has been smooth in some ways and a little crazy in others.  Byron and I haven't had a real furlough for six years.  On one hand our recent short visits pathed the way for an easier transition.   But staying for a longer this time around means we don't have to feel as rushed to go and do and see, even though we are always reminded of that the pages of the calendar are passing by. Keeping in touch with our friends in Brazil is uniquely easy nowadays allowing us the privilege of almost instant contact, real time decision making and even seeing regular photos of my cat.  We can send money quickly an...
2 comments
Read more

My Promise Verse

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take:  when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. This verse has been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. When I was a high school senior at a Christian school in Virginia, Job 23:10 was chosen as our class theme verse. At our graduation commencement, the valedictorian and saludatorian in their addresses that day divided the verse in its two natural parts as a basis for the core of each one's address. I was the salutatorian of my senior class that year.  I chose to speak of how God would one day reward our faithfulness and thus, we should always strive to remain true. For many years though, the first part of the verse haunted me in a way. As a missionary especially when times were lonely or difficult, I assumed it was my "trial" or "test," and as such must be accepted in all humility. As I have grown older, I have begun to look more toward the pearly gates and have reconsidered the thr...
2 comments
Read more

Core Memories: Furlough 2018

  I happened upon an archive of old home video from our furlough in 2018 while transferring items to a new laptop.  Oh, what fun to watch!  Decided to put them in a little video collage.  Making important memories while in the USA with our grands is important!  It takes a little effort and a little intent.   Enjoy! In memory of Papa Potter
Post a Comment
Read more