For those of you who are, don’t you just love being a grandparent? From the first moment you hold that little bundle of joy in your arms, you’re in love. National Grandparents Day is observed this year on September 11, and as a grandma to five – ranging from three months to 14 years old – I have many happy memories. Brennan, Mack, Gianna, Noah and Elijah have all brought my life much richness.

I can hardly bear to turn on the morning news shows anymore. The reports are always horrifying – shootings, stabbings, politicians fighting. I feel so lucky to have a job that allows me to see the good things that are happening right here in Greater Flint. As a writer for My City Magazine, I have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and the honor of sharing their stories with our readers.

I love day trips! And, there are many fun things to do in July just a short distance away. I did a little research, and this is what I found. Pack up the car with a cooler of refreshing beverages, a picnic lunch and let’s get ready to go.

June has always been my favorite month of the year. For one thing, two of my grandkids were born in June – I call them my “Junebug birthdays.” I was also born in June, so there are lots of birthday cakes and barbecues at my house this month.

Pomp and Circumstance. what does that mean? Well, the definition is: splendid ceremony with celebration and fuss. It is also the title of several military marches played at occasions such as graduations. This month, many students will don caps to take that walk of honor to receive their hard-earned diplomas. To me, a graduation is a truly momentous occasion – the recognition of an accomplishment worthy of “celebration and fuss.”

For some reason, many bad things have happened in the month of April. A few examples: President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865. The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, claiming 1,500 lives. The Columbine School Shooting happened on April 20, 1999. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. The terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon also occurred in April.

As I write the story about Women’s History Month, it got me thinking about the women in my life who have inspired me. They weren’t famous – not a movie star or politician – I’ve been inspired most by everyday, ordinary women.

Pink hearts, bouquets of red roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and words of love. What’s not to like about Valentine’s Day – a day for love and romance, and candle-lit dinners for two? It makes me think about some of my favorite (and not-so favorite) love stories that I’ve read or watched at the movies or on TV.

I’m glad that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over and life has returned to a normal pace. I have always loved the New Year – an opportunity for a fresh slate, to regroup and start over.

What is the best Christmas gift you have given or received from someone? To me, the best gifts aren’t fancy or expensive. They are what I call, “gifts from the heart.” A memorable gift I have given that comes first to my mind is a book I gave to my youngest grandson, Noah, when he was about four years old. It was a book with a recording, so when he turned each page, he would hear my voice reading it to him. I will never forget the baffled look on his face when he realized that it was his grandma’s voice he heard! He put the book down and opened his other presents. But later that Christmas Day, I saw him sitting in a chair in the corner listening to the book over and over again.

Is there a veteran in your life? The veterans in my life are my father, Jim Dennison, who served in the Air Force during World War II and my brother Joe, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. My father died three years ago and even though I had asked him to, he would never talk to me about his experiences during the war. Much of what I know has been learned since his passing. The only thing he did tell me years ago was that because of his time in service, he would never fly in an airplane again. And I’ve since discovered why.

I recently wrote the most difficult thing I’ve ever written: my mother’s obituary. My mom – an artist, potter, equestrian, tennis player, animal lover, golfer, traveler – passed away in August at the age of 87. She lived in my home state of Maryland, which had made it difficult for me to spend much time with her. But when she became ill a few months ago, I was able to travel there to spend a week and help care for her. I spent every minute of that time doing what I could do to ease her pain and make her comfortable. The last thing I told her before I returned to Michigan was how much I loved her and that I’d be back soon.