THE BOND BETWEEN GRANDPARENTS AND THEIR GRANDCHILDREN IS OFTEN VERY STRONG AND ALWAYS SPECIAL, ACCORDING TO GRANDPARENTS OF 13, MARLENE AND RAY PALMER.
The GemLife Gold Coast contract holders, who have been together since 1998 and married in 2010, are grandparents to Ray’s nine and Marlene’s four grandchildren who are spread from Melbourne, Victoria to Emerald in Queensland, and range in ages from 10 to 31. Four live on the Gold Coast and 11 took part in their wedding ceremony.
“Our 31-year-old granddaughter is married so there is a real possibility we could be great grandparents in the not-too-distant future,” said Marlene.
The couple love being grandparents, a role they say keeps them young and adds a new dimension to their lives.
“It also means we keep up with the modern world, gives us a lot to look forward to as they grow up and mature, and keeps us extremely active, alive and interested in what is going on,” said Ray.
While Marlene and Ray are close with all their grandchildren, they have a close bond with two, aged 17 and 20, who live on the Gold Coast.
“Ray and I have been like stand-in parents for the two boys for many years because their single mother travels a lot for her work. We moved into her home and ensured the boys got to school and home again. I’m so involved, I was even part of the mother’s group. We have had a special journey with them in particular,” said Marlene.
There is nothing the couple wouldn’t do for all their grandchildren and, where possible, they attend all their special events.
“We are interested in everything they all do and just love to be involved and show them how much we care. It’s so important they know we are always interested and eager to know what is happening in their lives.”
Ray and Marlene can’t wait to move into GemLife Gold Coast and be able to invite their grandchildren over to share in some of the fabulous facilities that will be available at the Country Club including the gym, swimming pool and ten-pin bowling.