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Grands Are the Greatest: Meet Debra and Norman Bell

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What’s it like having 15 grandchildren (10 girls and five boys), ranging in age from four to 23?

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It is busy all the time. I keep a calendar with the grandkid’s birthdays and school/sports events. I try not to miss any local events, and sometimes I’m able to travel to see them at state-wide competitions. Truly there are few dull moments, but I feel blessed to have eleven of my fifteen grandchildren living in the Montgomery area.

Your grandchildren never attended daycare because you cared for them while their parents worked. What did you learn from that experience?

I learned patience and that each child is different and has different needs. Despite their differences, I have learned that they all need to feel loved and that they are safe at Memaw’s house. I try to treat them with love and understanding.

I have learned to always be scared because I never know when they may drop in to see me. One thing I have tried to do is keep the fridge and the snack box filled because they are always looking for something to eat. This requires frequent trips to Costco.

In what specific ways do you bond with your grandchildren on your annual camping trip?

There is great anticipation for our annual camping trip. The kids get excited as the time draws near. On our trips, we swim, boat, play putt-putt golf, go out to eat, and play board games. I try to spend some time individually with each one during the trip. I try to let them know that I am interested in what is going on in their world.

How do you stay connected to your four grandchildren who live out of town?

I stay connected by calling regularly and talking to each one individually. Sometimes we will Facetime. I also make sure to send them cards for special occasions and we visit a few times a year. They normally visit us twice a year, but it is not quite the same as having them live close.

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Your parents have been married for 71 years. What do you think your grandkids have learned from spending time with their great-grandparents?

All of my grandchildren love to come and visit their great-grandparents. Over the years, they have learned that true love requires patience and faithfulness. They have learned the importance of forgiveness and love for God and the country. They have learned that the truths of the Bible are an anchor that keeps us in a good relationship with God and each other.

It has been said that there’s nothing like being a grandparent and it lives up to the hype. How would you describe your experience?

I will say there is nothing more exciting or fulfilling in life for me than having grandchildren. People say that it keeps me young. I love every minute I can spend with them!


Bio: Debra and Norman Bell have been married for 50 years. They have five children and 15 grandchildren and live in Pike Road.

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Kimberley Carter Spivey is a freelance writer, blogger, author, and entrepreneur. When she’s not working as an Instructional Systems Designer and copy-editor on Maxwell AFB, she’s busy freelancing, blogging, or toiling away at her next book. Her debut book Bloom: How to Get from Good Enough to a Life You Love can be purchased on Amazon and girlyou-write.com.
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