People sometimes laugh

 People sometimes laugh when I say this, but they don’t understand the depth behind it.

When you love your grandkid the way I do, something inside you changes. You become more protective, more aware, more unwilling to let anything harm them—physically or emotionally.

It’s not anger. It’s not control.

It’s love in its fiercest form.

I’ve seen enough of the world to know it isn’t always kind. And if I could, I would shield them from every hurt, every disappointment, every tear she might face.

But since I can’t… I stand strong in the ways I can.

I become their safe place. Their protector. The one who reminds her she is not alone.

Because when it comes to them…
my love doesn’t hesitate.
It doesn’t step back.

It stands up.

And it always will.