A Decade of Love

Book excerpt: This book is a small glimpse into the lives of a blended family who, despite their differences, love each other deeply. It is interesting to note that nosey Granny has no blood relationship to any of her family. She was an adoptive Mom of one son, and a step-Mom to four children, two boys and two girls. However, the love connection to her family is a powerful one. The nosey, slightly peculiar, well-meaning Granny wants to participate in the process of her 12 Grandchildren (seven boys, five girls) becoming adults. Hard to do when they are living in all parts of the U.S., plus Brazil and Japan. Her solution: Snail mail, e-mails and yes, even texting. Facebook and Skype help. Her face is recently popping up on Facetime. Technology is killing her. Her printer only works part time. If not for 13 year old Gage, one of her 9 Great Grandchildren and 25 year old Joyce, the youngest of the 12 adult grandchildren helping her when her computer just stops for no earthly reason, this book could never have been written. The truth is 80 year old Granny doesn't know an upload from a download. Her goal is to help all of the Grandchildren with well-intended suggestions of how to lead their lives, she say's (what's wrong with that?) She begins seriously the instant they leave for college. She feels they need help finding jobs. Learning to respect a job when they are finally are hired. They want the boss to love them. Bosses should pay well, and have good benefits. It's not necessary for them to love you. Then she wants them to save some of their hard earned money for their retirement. The old "pay yourself first rule" even if it is a small amount. They prefer buying toys and eating out every night. She wants them to learn to be good citizens, participate in politics and vote like she tells them. She is a self-proclaimed relationship expert. It starts with whom they date, marry, have sex with or not. She is not for her flock "living together before marriage, having children and somed