Grandparent's Day

Tomorrow is Grandparent's Day at our school.  I am so excited to host this event.  I have to admit, I am a little nervous...the theme has changed since the past years...I have tried to make it a little more upbeat and happy.  My goal is to take parents and Grandparents down memory lane and cherish memories that they have had.

I have had a lot of memories with my grandparents over my life.  I have AMAZING grandma's and grandpa's.  I am sad and heavy at heart to say that I recently lost one of my grandmother's but that does not mean that my memories are gone.  I am even more happy that my two kids have gotten to know their great grandparents. 

Our grandparents have a story.  They are a story.  I am so intrigued with how much history changes that I had asked my grandparents to write a little something about some things that they remember.  My grandfather wrote : "It was a few months later in 1945 that my mother remarried and we moved to Parris Island, SC, where my stepfather served in the Navy.  Parris Island is actually a marine base.  I remember sitting in the movie theater with a friend (don’t remember the movie) when all of a sudden the movie shut down and an announcement came over the loud speaker that Japan had surrendered and the war was over.   Since this was a Marine base the crowd went wild with celebrations.  I shall always remember that. " - Donald Griffin

I remember where I was, how the weather was, and the exact moment I found out about 9/11.   One day I will be retelling this story to my grandchildren.  In the words of my grandfather, "I shall always remember that."

My children are blessed with over a dozen grandparents.  They are two lucky children.  The amount of wisdom that they could inherit.... if they would just listen.... is incredible.

Not many of you know... but my daddy, my kid's grandfather... was in a horrible car accident yesterday.  The doctor's are calling him a miracle and I praise God that he is in the condition that he is in.   I say this to you tonight so that you will...hug your parents, hug your kids, hug your spouse, and hug your grandparents a little tighter next time.  Without them...we would not be here today.  I am so glad that my daddy, and my kid's Grandy is here to tell stories, and give life lessons, even about safety.

I have come to learn that many grandparent's that have lost their spouse want to talk.  They want to share stories and share love and meaningful moments.  Remembering their happy past, and sometimes sadness, they need an ear.  I need to remember that that might be me one day.  I need to love and embrace my elders.  They deserve more credit than I do.

They say that growing "old" brings wisdom...well, maybe we should listen instead of talk.  Maybe we should take the time and listen to the huge stories that grandparents have.  Listen, not because we are forced to, but because we want to learn, because we want to hear, and because...we need show them that we care.  Each one of our grandparents have a story....how will our story unfold?  What will our story be when we become grandparents?  Will it be something that you are willing to say?  I can honestly say...I will not share everything, but will share many learning moments and hope my children/grandchildren will one day come to the appreciation of me or better yet, life.

I love hearing words like, "you will never please anyone so just do what you think is right," or "don't be a doormat," or "life is not worth doing things that make you unhappy...only commit to things that make you happy...life it too short."  I want to live by these amazing words of wisdom, or better yet, live as if it might be my last day.

My Repurpose for today : Live each day like it is a storybook.  What will my story be for my grandchildren?