In honor of Grandparent’s Day on September 10, I decided to write a tribute to grandparents everywhere. There is only one grandma, grandpa, mimi, paw paw, maw maw or nana. No matter what name you call the person that fills that role in your life or if you are that person, Grandparent’s Day is the one day of the year where all you do should be noticed.
I have warm-felt memories of the time I spent with my grandparents growing up. I also have joyful times in the present with my husband’s grandparents. I have also enjoyed watching the transition of my own parent and in-laws as they begin to fill that role to my own children. So to celebrate this day, here is my tribute-why grandparents are so special and unique.
They spoil your children (or you)
My son started kindergarten as you well know this year. You would think he had won the lottery. His mimi packed him up and spent the day shopping for clothes, shoes-you name it. The kid came back with a trunkful of items. His grandpa sent money “just so he can have what he wants." My son was in heaven.
Grandparents provide endless hugs, kisses, extra love when a lot of times you as the parent can’t do that. They see your kids as perfect and treat them as such.
They are excellent cooks
Holidays are still our favorite times because of the good food that comes from grandparents. I remember growing up always looking forward to weekend meals at my Grandma “Cookies" (so called because she always snuck us cookies). She made the best roast and mashed potatoes. My grandma “Boat" (so called because she lived on a lake) would spend countless hours making Christmas Feast for us to devour it in seconds.
My husband’s parents and grandparents make the best gumbo, desserts-you name it. It is always better coming from grandparents. My kids just recently raved about hot dogs that “paw paw" cooked out on the grill. Anything can impress a grandchild.
They are spiritual leaders providing and modeling family values
My husbands “maw maw and paw paw" are supreme examples of this. We love going to their house or talking with them by phone because of the warmth and the light of Christ they emit. It gives us peace to know that they are there praying for us daily. They model family behaviors and values that we hope to instill in our children as well. We have began to continue traditions of the Christmas story because of my husband’s grandparents.
I once heard well-known Christian teacher Beth Moore say that she was looking forward to being a grandma so she could have praise dancing with grandma day. Grandmas do whatever necessary to teach the gospel.
They provide free babysitting services
My kids just recently stayed with their mimi and pawpaw so my husband and I could go to a meeting at school. Oh my goodness, they have not stopped talking about the visit. My almost two-year-old shows us daily her nails and toe nails that her mimi painted. My son loves the attention and the swimming pool not to mention being allowed to watch movies.
They are our heritage
One of the most enjoyable things my husband and I have been honored to do over the last few years is learn about our heritage. It is such a joy to hear stories about when our parents were kids or grandparents were kids, where our family originated from, etc. This oral history is priceless.
They provide endless memories
My husband always talks about being little and hunting with his pawpaw. He tells the story how he would sleep at his feet in the deer stand and then when a deer came near they would wake him up. They would come back home to a full fledge breakfast made by his mawmaw. Not to mention, how helpful deer meat from his pawpaw was when we first got married, but that is an entirely different story.
Anyhow, grandparents provide endless memories. I remember being little and the roads were iced over while I was staying with my grandma. She just bundled us up, put us in the boat and we drove by boat to the store and stopped by a restaurant for hot cocoa. Some would have viewed that as crazy, but it is one of my most sacred memories. I also remember my son’s nana (who passed away) playing with him on the phone the night before-He has memories about their time together as well and still misses her at times.
So this grandparent’s day, thank your mimi, nana, pawpaw, etc for all the joy they bring to your life. Then if by phone or in person cherish the contributions they make to your life and your family.
