losing my three granddaughters and I'm crushed

We read it very differently Gmarie I read it as it was written, you saw it as flowery language interesting isn’t it how interpretations can vary so much unfortunately I don’t think the poster will come back to clarify
Let’s hope you are right because this last sentence would worry me terribly I love those girls more than life itself and I cannot lose the loves of my life I see that as a big red flag I do hope you are right and I am wrong

I know how hard it is. My spouse and I are enduring the same situation. Our 3 grandchildren are in Virginia which is 2,000 miles from us. We are on a fixed income so cannot afford to fly out and see them. We saved and drove out last year to see them and the trip about killed us health wise.
We do get to FaceTime but the 3 yr old and 1 1/2 yr old don’t know us. They will grow up not knowing their paternal grandparents.
Be thankful you have been able to establish a relationship with them. They WILL remember that. Perhaps you can fly out for the holidays.
I know exactly how you feel and we are in the same boat. Stay strong and reach out to them every week.

Hithere
No, being in the US is not a factor

Was just making a tongue-in-cheek response to another poster's passing comment, hence the "smile":

Reading a bit more of this post maybe the American way of expressing yourself is considered a bit excessive compared to UK ways. Don't know what others think.

No, being in the US is not a factor

Hi BlueBelle

Re/ These girls are not just my granddaughters they are my world my best friends my copilots in life They go everywhere I do that includes my friend’s house, Home Depot, grocery shopping you name it and they are by my side

I honestly just read that as him mentioning all of the things that he does with his grandchildren not as listing everything that they do in entirety. Also, I feel it's hard to put feelings into words and more-so when one is facing the loss of something they've come to love and depend on being there in real time. I'm sure he will adjust to the change but surely all of us can think of a time when a change or loss felt so acute, at first, that it defied description (divorce, death of a loved one, estrangement, etc.). Finally, I don't see anything at all wrong with saying he took his grandchildren to a friend's. Would the reaction be the same if the poster was a woman?

Maybe being from the US is a factor. We're know for our effusiveness and plain speaking.

These girls are not just my granddaughters they are my world my best friends my copilots in life They go everywhere I do that includes my friend’s house, Home Depot, grocery shopping you name it and they are by my side

I think this is where any judgements have come from gmarie it does sound unhealthy don’t you think ? Surely the 5 and 7 year old should be out playing with their mates when they are not at school don’t you think ? to be in a grandfathers care 24/7 can’t be good for anybody

I agree with OddOne and Lizbethann55 that most replies have been less than compassionate toward the OP and may well have driven him off. Maybe it's someone's windup and maybe not, but why speculate in the possible face of someone's pain? I've read MANY posts on here from people who adore their grandchildren and express their attachments in all sorts of ways. I've frequently thought that how I feel for my first grandson rivals the feeling of falling in love. It's difficult to find words to express feelings at times.

Pinkjj27 perhaps you could reread the OP. The grandchildren are taken to all the parks in town. Not just swimming.

You are do lucky to have had your grandchildren in your life. I have 4 grandchildren who are denied their loving grandparents.
Keep the contact going by skype, phone etc and enjoy visiting them once they are settled.

You wont lose them. Grit your teeth and make sure you can make arrangements to see them as often as possible and use Zoom.

It's hard and I feel for you . Three of my grandchildren lived next door to me for 8 years, I was there when they were born. I did everything with and for them and I love them totally. They now live half a world away. FaceTime helps but it is of course not the same. I have always tried to remember that my children and grandchildren are not 'mine' - they are their own selves, and I have to have a life of my own, however much I miss and long for them. I hope the OP can find a way to bring meaning and service into his life so he finds a life of value and fulfilment.

Ydoc . It's those that have been through very similar experiences who are able to understand,

I know how you feel, my year old gd was everything to me she was born close to the time i lost my mum. I was in severe grief and depression only relief was my gd, she made it all dissappear. I looked after her when i was needed, she was all i had, i deeply love her. Then covid, and i was pushed to the edge not seeing her. Now my daughter hardly speaks i ask and ask to see my gd always excuses sometimes nothing. I am now 2 years out of depression but i mourn the lose of my gd. I have to keep busy but in the early hours i will be up and very upset. Unless you have loved like this you cant understand. I hope you manage to get involved in something enjoyable and make the best of it. Believe me i understand you.

I do not really know what to think about your post. I get it, that grand kids are special, but none of this sounds healthy to me. I am not sure kids should be going everywhere with you I don’t think that is healthy or good . Kids need to do kids things they need to be with other kids they need to be playing. There is no mention of parks or kids activity in your post expect swimming . It sounds like they are tagged along to whatever you want to do. Also, surely, they would be going to school anyway so they couldn’t go everywhere with you.
Also, its sounds to me that you are putting your needs and wants before theirs. What do you mean you have invested so much in them what do you expect back? We give love unconditionally we do not invest, that suggested getting a return.
Yes, it is a big change but they are not your children and surely you would want them to be with their parents and live their lives You must want them to be happy.
I am not sure if the is a fake post but it is full of red Flaggs. Maybe you are a little too possessive and that has prompted the move? That is not a very kind thing to say but you sound a little overwhelming to me. I would not dream of expecting my grandchildren to be there for my own needs and to keep me company or come everywhere with me. I love them I have a relationship with them but I also have a job, friends, and my own interest.
I think you need to wish your family well and stand back and let them live their live any way they choose. You havent lost them, you can skype them, call them and keep in touch via social media, mail and email, you can also visit .
They havent died, you havent died, so as you say you are being selfish look for positives such as what a great opportunity for these kids and be happy for them.
Also maybe give your wife some attention if you have one, a
I think she should be your world.

I'm so sorry elaine .

BlueBelle

Well I don’t think we are going to get any answers because I don’t think Davmalk is coming back either because it’s a spoof post or because he didn’t get the answers he was expecting or wanting

If I were OP I wouldn't come back and post anything else either!! Some of these comments have been totally uncalled for and beyond cruel. None of you know the full circumstance yet you feel validated in stating that the OP is "creepy" and implying worse. Yes, it may be a hoax, in that case, either ignoring it or just being kind, harms no one. On the other hand, if it's true and the OP is struggling as much as they say, then some of these cruel posts could easily tip them over the edge. I know which type of poster I'D prefer to be! Being judgemental and nasty is not a good look.

Too much time on your hands and a tedious desire for attention if you ask me. 🤔

I am really sorry you feel so bad but at least they will be in the same country as you. My husband died when my daughter was three, so I overindulged her I think to compensate. To my delight, she had a beautiful boy 7 years ago. He too was my world and I paid their rent so that my daughter didn't need to go to work after her maternity leave finished because he was quite poorly and we didnt want him in childcare.

So five years on, seeing him regularly, me buying them whatever they needed, they moved up to be closer to where I lived as it was a 2.5 hour train journey for me. I never ever asked for anything in return, just a little affection and the occasional message but nothing was ever forthcoming.

Suddenly I have served my purpose, havent seen them for almost a year, I send presents to him every couple of months but never any acknowledgment, I daresay my little letters are destroyed. Not really a good example of manners for a 7 year old. Apparently I am narcissistic and in need of mental therapy. The latter could be true, ha ha, but certainly not narcissistic.

You have lots of lovely memories and will be able to see them whereas I, just have 30 little videos I joined together and put onto a dvd until he was almost six.

Surely, if it's really that important - you could also move with them? If they're your whole world (and you provide so much support) what's keeping you where you are?

Why am I not surprised at how cruel and heartless so many of the answers on here are?
If you don't believe this is genuine, then move on.
Have none of you ever felt so overwhelmed with sadness that your language may be OTT?
His adored grandchildren will be moving miles away. We are talking hours and hours. Not a quick drive down a motorway.
He adores them and has spent many wonderful days with them, probably so mum and dad can build up their careers . Yes , his language is perhaps a bit much, but his grief is not. When you see someone every day, enjoy their hugs and cuddles, share their fun and adventures, of course he will miss them.
Sir, it will be difficult, but see them off with a smile and a wave. They will be grieving and sad too. They will miss you as much as you will miss them. Find ways to keep in touch. Not just Facetime , but letters and pictures and little presents. And save all those cents. Keep a clear bottle with coins in. It can be your Flight Bottle. Send photos of it filling up. Make sure you go to see them as often as you can. It will hurt like hell, but it will get easier.
I hope he reads the kinder comments as well as the ones that, quite frankly, are bordering on calling him a dodgy old man ( or worse!)

I know how you feel. My sons mother in law financially facilitated them to move close to her and 4 hours away from us. It’s tough, I’m sad my relationship with my grandkids isn’t what I hoped and the promises to visit haven’t really materialised. We visit them as often as we can afford to, but I’ve had to accept that I’m not there to see their events, celebrations etc. eldest lost her first tooth and I wasn’t told. It’s a little thing but significant for a grandparent. I find it hard to call or FaceTime as daughter in law often doesn’t pick up and sons not with the kids as at work. It’s tough but you do accept it after time. I write to my grandkids so that’s nice.

Encouraging this unhealthy obsession is not the way to go.

"Move" is the last thing OP needs to hear

Have you considered renting out your home and joining your family, by renting a home near to them in Tennessee? Of course, this is all discussed with your children and agreed upon. I personally would not sell up and buy in Tennessee because your family could well move again and again, good luck. Readers have to understand that the U.S.A. is a continent. A four hour journey is pretty far, just saying.

With The internet you can now “see” them every day via Messenger and FaceTime. When my grandchildren were small there was only the telephone but now I can communicate with my greatgrand children at any time.

How odd and a little scary in the language used. I don’t know about others but t made me feel very uncomfortable