At mile nine of the New York City marathon, amidst the cheering crowd, I spotted my husband and stepdaughter beckoning me with a bright yellow sign bearing my name. Surprised, I paused, then rushed to embrace them before resuming the race. As a 51-year-old grandmother who never experienced motherhood, I’ve avoided the conventional paths of pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing. Growing up, my sister and I were raised with liberal values and encouraged to pursue our dreams. Despite pressure from my family to have children, I found myself drawn to a career in show business. Eventually, I met Andy, a divorced man, seventeen years my senior, who had no interest in having more children. Choosing him meant accepting a child-free life, but it also brought a sense of peace and contentment. When Rocky, my grandson, entered the world, I embraced my role as a step-grandparent with open arms. Holding him for the first time, I realised that love knows no bounds, regardless of biological ties.
https://www.newsweek.com/i-grandma-skipped-motherhood-1897798
