They've Always Been There
National Grandparents Day, the first Sunday after Labor Day, was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The purpose of the day was to acknowledge the contributions of grandparents and all seniors, not only to their families but also to innovation and society.
Many grandparents and grandchildren are fortunate to have a special bond with each other. After all, these grandparents have always been there, since the day you were born.
So Much Patience
Like no other, grandparents have the patience to play for hours, down on their bum knees, just to get time with the grandkids. On this national holiday, we should celebrate the patience of such grandparents.
They Say 'Yes' to Sugar
You can always count on grandparents to say "yes" to sugar, followed by their favorite line, "Just a little bit won't hurt anyone." See also: late bedtimes, trips to the toy aisle and not picking up toys.
They're the Best Babysitters
For many, grandparents were their first babysitters, and they were always the best babysitters. Instead of texting away the hours and grudgingly cooking a box of mac and cheese, grandparent babysitters are there for the fun, including making cookies.
They Have a Million Stories
How else do you find out about your rebellious mom and dad? Grandparents and their stories. They've been around a lot of years, and they've got a story for everything.
They Know the Traditions
As time passes, family traditions shift and change. Grandparents are the ones you ask about certain traditions, whether they kept or turned their backs on them. Either way, grandparents store cultural memories that bring us closer to our past.
We Inherited Their Great Style
Before there were influencers on Instagram, there were influencers in the family whose fabulous style you inherited. Props to Grandma for always knowing how and when to accessorize. Props to Pops for being able to pull off jaunty hats. Now you know how to do those things, too.
They Do Neat Stuff
Grandparents who think age is just a number do the neatest stuff. Maybe yours do, too. For the grandmothers and grandfathers who still have a sense of adventure, a sense of possibility and are open to pushing themselves hard, this day celebrates you.
Relationship Role Models
Grandparents whose marriages have lasted beyond so many decades are relationship role models for us all. Staying married, staying in love, showing each other respect, finding ways to move together through life allow us to set our own relationship goals and evaluate our needs and habits. Happily married grandparents aren't a guarantee, but if you're lucky enough to know some, today is the time to celebrate their achievement.
They Listen
Parents develop a strategy of selective hearing, but grandparents are happy to take it all in. To the grandparents who listened to us as toddlers, saying the same thing over and over, and then listened to our weird ideas, to our problems without judgment, to our hopes and dreams and struggles as adults, Grandparents Day is for you. Cheers!
