Honoring Grandparents

On August 3, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation for National Grandparents Day, set for the first Sunday after Labor Day. In 2021, Pope Francis declared World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to take place annually on the fourth Sunday of July, neighboring the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. There is no doubt about the importance of the role of grandparents in the lives of children. Pope Francis stated: "Grandparents are a treasure in the family. Please, take care of your grandparents: love them and let them talk to your children!"

We are blessed and fortunate to have had their presence in our lives, and if they are gone, we miss them dearly. Grandparents make all things right. They afford us the time to be chief witnesses in the lives of their grandchildren and they model patience, love, compassion and understanding for them. They adore their grandchildren and would do anything for them, and, as if given the second opportunity to parent, do all of the right things. A quote from dear Mr. Fred Rodgers aptly defines the grandparent/grandchild relationship: "Grandparents can be very special resources. Just being close to them reassures a child, without words, about change and continuity, about what went before and what will come after."

Erma Bombeck, from back in the day, creatively quipped: "A grandmother [read grandparent] pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween." We all can picture the scenes and similar ones: hide and seek; playing dolls; make-believe anything! Time, such a precious commodity-this is what grandparents so tremendously give their grandchildren. They listen well, pretend well and are the best cheerleaders ever!

Let us forever sing the praises of grandparents and support them with love and affirmation! We so love and appreciate them! God, be good to them and watch over them! Happy Grandparent's Day!








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