National Grandparents Day and My Grandparents
When National Grandparents Day was made an official holiday by President Carter in 1978 it was to be a day to "... to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer."
In light of feeling guilty for never celebrating National Grandparents Day when my grandparents were alive I am doing so now. In memory of my Grandparents:
Happy Grandparents Day Grandpa Wright - Grandpa even though we were miles apart for most of my life you will always hold one of the most special memories of all my grandparents. Yes Grandpa I do still remember the mouse in the tree. I miss your unexpected phone calls and most of all I wish so much that you could have met your namesake before you passed away. I can add even more to that though, there are now 4 generations of 'Austin's in the family. Yes, you have a great-great-grandson who also carries your name. I wish just one more time I could ask you how your doing and hear you say, "Jus as good lookin as ever".
Happy Grandparents Day Grandma Wright - What fun I had with you Grandma. The hours spent playing with the curlers and make-up. Letting me be the beautician and 'fix you up'. I will always remember your strong will. I don't think you were ever a women to back down from a fight or give up when you set your mind on something. At times, I almost feel sorry for you and your un-dying love for Grandpa but at the same time, I love you more for loving him so much. Grandma thank for all the time we had together sharing our love of flowers; I make sure to plant some petunias every year just for you and even though I don't like them I fry up a pan of 'Fried Green Tomatoes" just because I know you loved them so much.
Happy Grandparents Day Grandma Turner - Oh dear Grandma what can I say, my first experience driving a car was with you, my first time playing the piano was with you, my first time having a grandmother that truly spoiled me to death. I'll always remember the trips to the grocery store to get all my favorite foods when I was staying with you. I remember the chocolate milk and chili. I wanted them both and you warned me they wouldn't mix well but you let me have them anyways and when my stomach got a little sour you never once said 'I told you so' you instead nursed me and suggested I don't have them at the same time again - I agreed with you. Grandma most of all I thank you for teaching me how to help others without making them feel like that help was charity.
Happy Grandparents Day Grandpa Turner - Grandpa I cannot walk in a wood without thinking of you. The hours we spent walking around the farm you knew so much, the names of the trees, the uses of the plants, the footprints of the animals. I remember you setting on the backdoor step watching me roller-skate after the driveway was swept clean of every single pebble so I would not stumble. I remember cleaning fish we had caught in the lake scraping the scales with a spoon your strong but gentle voice giving instructions without ever making me feel you were telling me what to do. Grandpa I miss you so very much not a week goes by I do not wish you were still here.
A message to all you 'Grandchildren': your grandparents may be old, they may not be up with the latest fads or fashions, and they may even bug you a bit from time to time but make the most of it. Enjoy your time with your grandparents because some day they will not be around and chances are you will miss them then. Accept them for who they are and gain as much knowledge as you can from them - remember there was a time in their lives when they too were Grandchildren and they really do understand you more than you think.
On National Grandparents Day which is always the first Sunday after Labor Day give your grandparents a call, send them a card or bet yet write them a note, or best of all why not spend the day or as much time as possible with your grandparents. Enjoy National Grandparents Day and your grandparents every day you can.
Would you like to get to know my Grandparents more? I would love to have you read some of the following stories about my Grandparents:
The Mouse in the Tree and My Grandfather
The Early Piano Lessons
My Grandma the School Teacher
Harry Get Closer to Her
Grandpa, the Ice Cream Parlor, and the Swing
Grandpa, the Ice Cream Parlor, and the Swing Continued
The First Time I Met My Extra Grandparents
My Paternal Grandparents
Published by Faith Draper
Faith s writing experience includes a weekly women s newsletter, published in a contemporary issues book, as well as 100s of content articles and several e-books as a ghostwriter. She has lived all over the... View profile
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30 Comments
Post a CommentFaith, I love this! I didn't realize it was Grandparents' Day. I have been working on a website honoring the stories of my great-grandmothers, too. It's my first and only blog so far. I guess I'll know next year!!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I wasn't fortunate enough to know my grandparents. I only knew my grandmother, and she died when I was 12. Another great article.
Very Nice. I too have no more granparents living...and I miss them dearly.
Thanks for the reminder :)
This article makes me wish I had the experiences of grandparents. I wish older people in my life would of wanted to spend time with me, and what I learned from that is to take the time with my kids, and when the day comes my grandkids so they can have great memories.
What loving tributes! I'm just putting flowers on my grandparents' graves this year again for GP's Day.
A great tribute to your grandparents, and to all grandparents. Nicely done and full of love.
Your love for your grandparents shines through this article. They would be proud of you!
That's a wonderful tribute, and it doesn't matter that they're gone, they're still in your heart, so they're really still here. I used to send my grandmother a card and call on Grandparent's Day. She used to scold me for supporting what she called a Hallmark holiday, but I know she loved it! There's nobody like a grandparent.
This is awesome, Faith! I too have never heard of grandparents day, but I'm glad I know about it now. Great tribute as well. I only have two grandparents left, and I definitely need to spend more time letting them know how much I love and cherish them.