I can’t believe I have been a grandparent for 22 years! National Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day (this year, on September 8) and is a day to show appreciation for the love and support that grandparents give. To me, it is also a day to appreciate our grandchildren.
I would say that being a grandmother has probably been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.
My first grandson, Brennan, was born in June, just a few days after my birthday.
I was unprepared for the joy he would bring to our lives. He is now a big brother to three siblings and will be graduating from Michigan Technological University this year. They grow up so fast!
Brennan was recently in town for a visit after completing an internship in San Antonio, TX and before he returned for his final year of school. He was preparing for a wilderness trip to Isle Royale National Park – a rugged, remote island in Lake Superior that can only be reached by ferry or seaplane.
What is the best way to celebrate your grandparents? Pick up the phone and give them a call.
I was watching him as he was getting his gear ready to go. There are no hotels or restaurants on the island. He and two of his college friends will be sleeping in tents and eating freeze-dried meals while backpacking and exploring the wilderness and wildlife of the unspoiled land. There are no cell phone towers so communication is limited.
What struck me the most as I watched him prepare for his trip is what a strong, self-sufficient young man Brennan has become. And all the memories of his growing up years came flooding back – his first day of kindergarten, baseball games, trips to the park and the beach, camping, the visits to the cottage up north, birthdays, graduations and leaving home to go to college. I remembered the special overnight visits to grandma’s house – the bowls of popcorn, watching movies and playing board games until the wee hours of the morning.
Brennan’s future is very bright. He will graduate from MTU next year, which brings back memories of my own son’s graduation from the school. Brennan was just a little boy then and here he is, just 20 years later, following in the footsteps of his uncle.
What do grandparents bring to the lives of their grandkids? We share a special bond and give them generous doses of love. Grandparents can also provide an abundance of wisdom, as well as guidance and stability.
What is the best way to celebrate your grandparents? Pick up the phone and give them a call. Plan to spend the day with them and help them out with a chore or two – mow the lawn, take out the trash or weed a flower bed. Share a meal. But most of all, give them a hug and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to be part of Brennan’s life, and the lives of all of my grandchildren. I know there is so much more to look forward to. And I believe I have given them as much joy as they have given me.
Happy Grandparents Day!
