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Lifestyle & Human Interest

Grandfather Walks 4 Miles To Catch Glimpse of Granddaughter Through Glass Door

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A Michigan family captured the bittersweet moment a grandfather laid eyes on his newborn granddaughter through a glass window, keeping in line with coronavirus quarantine recommendations.

Josh Gillett from Zeeland, Michigan, welcomed his daughter Elliana Rae in February, according to his Instagram account.

Gillett’s father was bursting with pride and joy over the birth of his first grandchild, and was able to hold the baby twice before coronavirus lockdown changed the way the Gillett family had to interact.

For now, the proud grandfather is content to visit his granddaughter from behind glass — a temporary sacrifice for the healthier future of both grandpa and grandbaby once coronavirus passes.

“This is not normal. This is not fun. This is actually the worst feeling ever – but I know this is temporary,” Gillett wrote on Instagram.

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“Today, my dad walked over 4 miles to our house so he could see Elliana through the window… again. This has become a regular thing.”

“It breaks my heart that my dad can’t hold my daughter,” Gillett continued. “However, as you can clearly see on my dad’s face, he’s overflowing with joy just to see her.”

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This is not normal. This is not fun. This is actually the worst feeling ever – but I know this is temporary. • • Today, my dad walked over 4 miles to our house so he could see Elliana through the window… again. This has become a regular thing. It breaks my heart that my dad can’t hold my daughter. However, as you can clearly see on my dad’s face, he’s overflowing with joy just to see her. He only got to hold her twice before #covid_19 locked us down. I hate that having a window between us is the only way she can see her grandpa – but again, I remember this is temporary. • • While my wife was pregnant, I don’t think an hour went by where my dad didn’t brag about becoming a grandpa soon. Now, his granddaughter is finally here and the only thing he can hold are the daily pictures we send him. However, he knows this is temporary. • • Even if you aren’t worried about catching it yourself: #stayhome for the new dads and moms who can’t wait to have the world meet their new baby. #stayhome for the grandparents who want to hold their new grandchild more than anything. #stayhome for the pregnant mom and nervous dad who are about to welcome home their newest family member. #stayhome for the greatgrandparents who know time is a gift. #stayhome for all the businesses who anxiously wait to open back up. #stayhome for the teachers and kids who are eager to get back to school. And especially, #stayhome for the doctors and nurses who are fighting this head on and would give anything to just #stayhome and hold their kids. • • If this grandpa can resist coming inside and loving his first grandchild, I know the rest of us can do this too. • • #girldad #thedad #stayhealthy #washyourhands

A post shared by Josh Gillett (@joshuagillett) on

Gillett and his father are choosing to find the silver lining during the coronavirus lockdown, keeping the perspective that their physical separation is only for a short while.

“I hate that having a window between us is the only way she can see her grandpa – but again, I remember this is temporary,” he wrote.

Gillett recalled how eager his father had been to meet his first grandchild and embrace life as a grandpa.

“While my wife was pregnant, I don’t think an hour went by where my dad didn’t brag about becoming a grandpa soon,” Gillett wrote.

“Now, his granddaughter is finally here and the only thing he can hold are the daily pictures we send him.”

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“However, he knows this is temporary.”

Gillett urged readers to follow the stay at home guidelines for the safety and wellbeing of others, even when it is sad, uncomfortable or painful to do so.

“If this grandpa can resist coming inside and loving his first grandchild, I know the rest of us can do this too,” he wrote.

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A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Kim Davis has been writing for The Western Journal since 2015, focusing on lifestyle stories.
Kim Davis began writing for The Western Journal in 2015. Her primary topics cover family, faith, and women. She has experience as a copy editor for the online publication Thoughtful Women. Kim worked as an arts administrator for The Phoenix Symphony, writing music education curriculum and leading community engagement programs throughout the region. She holds a degree in music education from Grand Canyon University with a minor in eating tacos.
Birthplace
Page, Arizona
Education
Bachelor of Science in Music Education
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Lifestyle & Human Interest




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