Sunday is Grandparents Day!
Did you know that the Sunday after Labor Day is always Grandparents Day? Did you even know there is a Grandparents Day? Although it’s been an established day of recognition since 1978, many people are still not aware of its existence. Bringing attention to the upcoming day of celebration may be a bit self-serving (hint to my daughter), but don’t grandparents deserve one day to be acknowledged for their role in the family?
Grandparents Day was inspired by a West Virginia housewife who noticed how many elderly people in her community were isolated. She saw that many people in nursing homes rarely received visitors, and she wanted to remedy the situation. In 1970, she began actively campaigning for a special day to acknowledge older adults, and in 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation making Grandparents Day an official holiday.
Unlike some holidays, most people don’t focus on gifts for Grandparents Day unless it’s a homemade gift of love from the grandchild. Some of my favorite gifts are drawings from my grandchildren. Now that one of our grandchildren is 9, we received handwritten letters from him last year, and they still hold a cherished spot on our refrigerator. Maybe it’s presumptuous of me, but I am guessing most grandparents would treasure these heartfelt gifts more than another “thing” to slow down our decluttering process.
Time spent together is another welcome gift. If grandparents are long-distance, a call or a video call. An old-fashioned snail-mail card is always appreciated, too. If you’re in the same town, having a meal together is a good way to celebrate. My grandkids spend the night with me on Saturdays, and I always get up and cook a big Sunday breakfast for them. They have both offered to help me cook breakfast this Sunday, which should be entertaining.
Lately, I have seen this reflection on social media. “There is a small window in life when your parents are healthy, your children are young, and you are all together. It feels like forever until it’s over.” That is so important to recognize and appreciate, yet it’s difficult to do. Intellectually, I knew my parents would eventually become old and die, but I never fully understood what that would mean until it was too late. When I look back at all our family pictures that include my kids and my parents, I realize how very fortunate we were to have them in our lives. As trite as it sounds, it’s true that time moves fast. Capture the special moments of connection and joy while you can.
Grandparents serve many important functions in a family. They are a source of family history, stability, unconditional love, and often assistance to both generations below them. Grandparents often provide child care and even step into the role of raising their grandchildren when the parents are unable to provide care. Some studies have even shown that young adults who have close relationships with their grandparents have fewer incidents of depression and anxiety.
If your family is lucky enough to include grandparents, take the time to show them some love and recognition this Sunday, September 13. They deserve to be recognized. It is also good to show your children an example of what appreciation looks like. My 9-year-old grandson has decided he’s too old for hugs, but he’s promised to give me a big one on Sunday, so I know I’ll have a happy Grandparents Day!
