“Being a grandparent is God’s compensation for growing old.” That’s a saying I have seen many times on small wall plaques. Thirty-two years ago, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation on Aug. 3, 1978, after Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as Grandparents Day. Even today, however, Grandparents Day is not always recognized. This year, it was Sept. 12. The purpose of Grandparents Day is to honor grandparents and to help children understand the strength and guidance older people can provide.
Sometimes, when things go wrong, I blame my problems on the fact that I did not have a grandmother to love me and make me feel special. I have often wondered how much I missed out on because I never knew my parents’ mothers. Both my grandmothers died when they were around 50 years old.
When I was in first grade in 1953, my class read a story about Billy and Jane visiting their grandparents on a farm. The books’ illustrations showed a grandmother whose white hair was pulled back in a bun. She wore glasses, a dress and an apron. She was in the kitchen with freshly baked cookies. The grandpa in the story also had white hair. Today, in my magazines, the covers show grandparents looking this way. They insinuate grandmothers have nothing to do but bake cookies! They should follow me around for a day!
The following is an excerpt from an article I wrote about 15 years ago, when I only had one grandchild. Today, we have 11, ranging in age from 5 to 18 years.
“I do not think that I am any exception to the rule, but I do not appear to be this old! Most of my hair is black and I do not wear a dress in the kitchen. I prefer a T-shirt and jeans. I do not own an apron. I can bake cookies, but I prefer Little Debbie to do my baking. I work five days a week. The image of grandma is certainly different from the one I considered all grandmothers to look like according to the story I read in first grade!
I would like for my grandson Keith and any others I may have in the future to think of his grandparents as special people. He knows all he has to do is wrap his little arms around my legs, look up at me with that cherub face and smile, and I will pick him up. He knows his grandpa will let him sit on the arm rest in the truck when they ride to the chicken pen. Keith knows I will rock him when he is sleepy and wants his blanket.
Grandma can be counted on to get down on the floor and play horsey with Keith or teach him a new joke. I take him walking in the garden to see the butterflies gathering nectar from the flowers and point to the birds flying overhead. Grandparents can kiss boo-boos and make them better.
Yes, all kids need grandparents as a special “cushion” who they can depend on when they’re growing up and facing a tough world.
In a toddler’s mind, grandparents are the same size and age as children. Keith couldn’t understand why I couldn’t fit in the small car he once
got for Christmas. He wanted me to ride in it with him.
Parents must be strict with their children and are busy raising them and taking care of their needs. Most grandparents do not have this responsibility and are able to make grandkids feel special. We let them get away with a few things, as long as they’re not endangering their health. Children are fortunate if they have two or four grandparents who love them. Grandchildren give us a second chance to enjoy children when we have more time, wisdom, understanding and, hopefully, more money.”
If you are blessed with grandparents, tell them how much they mean to you. If you forgot about Grandparents Day last Sunday, don’t fret. Every day is a good day to remember those we love!
Love is a history buff and writes Liberty lore periodically for the Courier.
Sometimes, when things go wrong, I blame my problems on the fact that I did not have a grandmother to love me and make me feel special. I have often wondered how much I missed out on because I never knew my parents’ mothers. Both my grandmothers died when they were around 50 years old.
When I was in first grade in 1953, my class read a story about Billy and Jane visiting their grandparents on a farm. The books’ illustrations showed a grandmother whose white hair was pulled back in a bun. She wore glasses, a dress and an apron. She was in the kitchen with freshly baked cookies. The grandpa in the story also had white hair. Today, in my magazines, the covers show grandparents looking this way. They insinuate grandmothers have nothing to do but bake cookies! They should follow me around for a day!
The following is an excerpt from an article I wrote about 15 years ago, when I only had one grandchild. Today, we have 11, ranging in age from 5 to 18 years.
“I do not think that I am any exception to the rule, but I do not appear to be this old! Most of my hair is black and I do not wear a dress in the kitchen. I prefer a T-shirt and jeans. I do not own an apron. I can bake cookies, but I prefer Little Debbie to do my baking. I work five days a week. The image of grandma is certainly different from the one I considered all grandmothers to look like according to the story I read in first grade!
I would like for my grandson Keith and any others I may have in the future to think of his grandparents as special people. He knows all he has to do is wrap his little arms around my legs, look up at me with that cherub face and smile, and I will pick him up. He knows his grandpa will let him sit on the arm rest in the truck when they ride to the chicken pen. Keith knows I will rock him when he is sleepy and wants his blanket.
Grandma can be counted on to get down on the floor and play horsey with Keith or teach him a new joke. I take him walking in the garden to see the butterflies gathering nectar from the flowers and point to the birds flying overhead. Grandparents can kiss boo-boos and make them better.
Yes, all kids need grandparents as a special “cushion” who they can depend on when they’re growing up and facing a tough world.
In a toddler’s mind, grandparents are the same size and age as children. Keith couldn’t understand why I couldn’t fit in the small car he once
got for Christmas. He wanted me to ride in it with him.
Parents must be strict with their children and are busy raising them and taking care of their needs. Most grandparents do not have this responsibility and are able to make grandkids feel special. We let them get away with a few things, as long as they’re not endangering their health. Children are fortunate if they have two or four grandparents who love them. Grandchildren give us a second chance to enjoy children when we have more time, wisdom, understanding and, hopefully, more money.”
If you are blessed with grandparents, tell them how much they mean to you. If you forgot about Grandparents Day last Sunday, don’t fret. Every day is a good day to remember those we love!
Love is a history buff and writes Liberty lore periodically for the Courier.