Not every grandparent chooses

 Not every grandparent chooses

to be part of a child’s life.

and that’s the part no one likes to say out loud.

some live minutes away
but feel like miles.

some say “we’ll come by soon”
like it means something
but soon never comes
and eventually you stop believing it will.

some love the title
the pictures
the idea of being one
but not the showing up
not the effort
not the consistency it takes.

and kids don’t understand
distance
or excuses
or “life just got busy”

they just notice
who holds their hand
who shows up
who doesn’t

and who slowly
becomes a stranger
they were told
was supposed to love them