Some of us grew up without grandparents. Some of us never knew our grandparents. Some of us had grandparents who lived just down the street. Some of us had grandparents who lived far away. What was your relationship like with your grandparents? A woman I interviewed recently said a family secret kept her from ever knowing her paternal grandparents. We talked about this some & the impact that had on her life. She said that she was grateful she learned of this part of her family when she was an adult because she was more prepared to handle the news and idea of these new relationships. I can’t think of an interview I’ve done when stories of grandparents – sometimes heart-warming and sometimes difficult – haven’t come up as meaningful to a life story.
No matter the relationship, the stories of our grandparents are important. They are the stories of our heritage. They are the stories that have shaped us and that live in us whether we are conscious of it or not. They are precious, yet seldom passed along or preserved.
If you are a young person or adult with living grandparents, take time to sit with them and listen to the stories of their lives. Ask them to tell you a story about their childhood. Invite them to share their memories, and listen without distractions and with an open heart and mind. You will be glad you did. These men and women have lived through unique periods of history. They have stories about life before the internet and about their own hopes and fears. Record these stories in some way. And if you have children, find ways to help them connect with their grandparents. Research shows that these generational stories (and your own memories and family stories) are a valuable gift to children with a myriad of social and emotional benefits. And most grandparents will appreciate a call, visit, or homemade expression of affection more than a store-bought gift.
If you are an adult, share the stories of your life with a special child in your life while you still can. Sharing stories from the heart and listening with intention and attention are acts of love, and you have the power to change the world with your love. What do you want future generations to know about your life? It’s up to you to tell them. Write your stories down. Record the things about your life that are meaningful to you. Use holidays and special milestones as a catalyst to do this good work. Future generations will be grateful that you did this.
Did You Know? “In February 1977, Senator Randolph, with the concurrence of many other senators, introduced a joint resolution to the senate requesting the president to “issue annually a proclamation designating the first Sunday of September after Labor Day of each year as ‘National Grandparents’ Day’.” Congress passed the legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents’ Day and, on August 3, 1978, then-President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation.[4][5] The statute cites the day’s purpose: “…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”.” (Wikipedia contributors. (2023, August 4). Grandparents’ Day. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:55, August 30, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grandparents%27_Day&oldid=1168734600)