I gave SnuggleBuddies to my grandsons while they were visiting for Christmas to help them learn about feelings, but what happened next surprised me.  

You see, that Christmas morning, we had a situation, one that caused my dog to get very, very sick. My dog had gotten into some chocolate candy. 

My grandson tried to comfort our dog with the things that comfort them. Hank the elf, their SnuggleBuddies Red Bear and Orange Fox, blankets, and a balloon.

When I found out that my husband had left the chocolates out where the dog got into them, I was furious.

Having to deal with a sick puppy is bad enough, but to make matters worse, I have a rare neuromuscular condition (Myasthenia Gravis) that greatly affects my activity and breathing, and extra activity lands me in bed and on my noninvasive ventilator.

I knew from past experience that a dog eating chocolate results in a very ill pooch with lots of cleaning up and a special diet.

I wanted to enjoy our visit with the kids and the holidays...but I was angry.

I knew my husband did not intend for this to happen, and I did not want to be in a bad mood for the evening while my family was visiting. But I was! 

That was when my daughter suggested the boys ask NayNay (me) if she wanted to “do her feelings”.

They were excited about that and ran to get their SnuggleBuddies to share with me.

Everyone listened and supported me as I went through my feelings.

I began to feel better, and it dawned on me that I was actually setting an example for my grandsons.

I also realized that had my grandsons and their SnuggleBuddies not been there, I wouldn't have talked about or worked through my angry feelings that quickly.

I just love those things; they are so cuddly! I ordered myself a Red Bear. And don't tell, but Red Bear has already helped my husband with some of his feelings too.

As a grandma, I love Generation Mindful. It makes me feel like I can really add to my grandsons' lives in a lasting way. They live 15 hours away, so I don’t see them in person often.  But it is so important to me that they know I SEE THEM!!! 

Sometimes my grandsons call/facetime me to tell me their sad or mad feelings...and I think, I can do this! I can be there for them.

Despite any amount of distance or disability, I can listen.