Sep 11, 2011

Grandparents Day



Today Mia and Aiden called to wish us a Happy Grandparents Day. And this got me to thinking how times have changed so much for the role as Grandparents.
















Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like
This world's gone crazy
Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn't seem so hazy

Did lovers really fall in love to stay
And stand beside each other come what may?
Was a promise really something people kept
Not just something they would say?
Did families really bow their heads to pray?
Did daddies really never go away?
Oh, Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days

Grandpa, everything is changing fast
We call it progress
But I just don't know
And Grandpa, let's wander back into the past
And paint me the picture
Of long ago

Oh, Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days
~Judds~

I always thought Grandparents Day was something Hallmark invented. But after a little research, I found out that in 1978 President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. A day set a side to honor our Grandparents.

When I was a child, we always observed our Grandparents on Mothers Day and Fathers Day along with our parents. But then our Grandparents were right there with us, helping our parents raise us, in most respects as an other set of older, wiser, parents. (with more hugs and extra spoilin' on the side)

Then when we started to raise a family of our own, our children and their Grandparents had a long distance relationship. But somehow, with annual cross country visits and very large phone bills (no cell phones and texting, back in the day), our children grew up having a very close relationship with them. But still it was very different from how we grew up. And their Grandparents were there to teach them lessons of life with large doses of love.

Now things are so very different for us as Grandparents. And so is Grandparenting. When I asked my Mother-in-law for advise, she said "you have to love them all the same". I could never understand that. How can you love everyone the same when everyone is different and has different needs. But then a lot of advice I have received from our parents didn't make sense til I got older.

In our blended family, we have 10 Grandchildren, 1 Great Grandchild and 1 more on the way. All are different and all are loved.

Jaime's family is a blended assortment, Jacque, Jake and Skyler are from Anthony's first marriage and have been part of our family for 11 years. They have an over abundance of family and Grandparents from his and their Mom's family, but we still love our family time with them and sharing in their growing up. Jacque is married and has her little boy, Drew, and a baby girl on the way. Jake is a college guy and Sky is busy with High School and sports. The younger trio (turning 4) are ours to "spoil". (We also have Grandmom Lynn and Grandmom Sally helping out). Mia is our tiny dancer, always looking and observing. If you watch her eyes, you might know what her next move will be. Aiden is bubbling over with knowledge and ideas about everything on wheels and delights in sharing all that is "Thomas". Seth is our little man of few words but makes up with it in smiles and kisses. One look from him and your heart is melted. He has his challenges daily with Autism and is learning more every day

Just down the road a few miles we have Emil and Radojka's kiddles. The twins, now 3, are a double dose of energy. Isa loves her dollies and cuddling, she would be the softer side of this duo if Max would let her, but he has other ideas and is always keeping everyone on their toes. When you catch a half smile and a twinkle in his one eye, watch out, you never know what's next with him. Then there is my buddy Nathan, a very wise and knowing 11 year old. We have grown very close over the years and really enjoy our times together, whether it's exploring across country in a train, fishing or just sitting and talking, we have shared and tried to come up with solutions for many of the world's problems together.

And we have one more Grandchild (1 year old), Vicki, living across the state, that we have yet to meet. After Emil and Rado's divorce, Emil had another little girl that is living with her Mother. There are a lot of mixed feelings and we hope some day we will be able to get to know her and watch her grow with her brothers and sister.

So as they say, "these times they are a changin", and Grandparenting isn't always the same for everyone. But I know how much we love each and everyone of these guys and hope for a wonderful and happy childhood with lots of great memories of their Grandmom and Grandpop, just like we had.

And I'll always remember to love them all, just the same.


"Grandparents are "the fourth leg" of the family table - we're there to stop it from wobbling."
~Penelope Leach~
The fourth leg is not allowed to wander away from the table – because if it did, what would there be to prevent it all from crashing down?


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