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photo: steve mason/getty images |
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Great-Grandmother's 'Tour of Duty'
It isn't always a tragedy or family trauma that brings grandchildren into the care of their grandparents.or great-grandparents. Since Hispanics tend to start families at a younger age, it is not unusual for Hispanic great-grandparents to be in their late 50s or 60s. Rosalina Rodriguez, 57, of Brooklyn is the proud grandmother of two active members of the Armed Forces. In 1998, her granddaughter, who had an infant son, was scheduled to be deployed overseas with the Air Force. Her granddaughter's husband was estranged from the family. And the baby's grandmother (Rosalina's daughter) was busy babysitting for other grandchildren. There was no one to care for Rosalina's great-grandson, Alex. So Rosalina eagerly volunteered to care for the boy. It was a "tour of duty" that lasted two years. "They were the best two years of my life. I was so happy to have that beautiful baby in my home. It was tough on my granddaughter to be away from him. She cried so much for that baby and called about him all the time. But it was clear that Alex was better off here with me," says Rodriguez. Rodriguez's granddaughter has since remarried, to a fellow member of the Air Force. Alex now lives with his mother and stepfather. "It's a loving, stable family. And my granddaughter's new husband is so handsome," boasts Rodriguez. Of course, should the need arise, she won't hesitate to take Alex again. "My granddaughter was recently sent overseas to the war for a while. Who knows if she will have to return? I'm always willing to help. I think kids need their grandparents and their great-grandparents. Society would be better off if more grandparents took charge." |
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