HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY Sunday 9-13-2020 !!!
When President Carter declared this holiday in 1979, I doubt he envisioned how it would need to play out in this crazy 2020 year!
It was established NOT to be commercialized but instead to:
1) Honor grandparents 2) Give grandparents a special opportunity to show love for their children’s children. 3) Help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.
It is to be celebration for the whole family; a day to connect generations! A day to appreciate wisdom and allow grandparents a chance to pass down their legacy and show love for those who will follow.
An excerpt of the president's declaration is as follows:
"Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us. Whether they are our own or surrogate grandparents who fill some of the gaps in our mobile society, our senior generation also provides our society a link to our national heritage and traditions.
We all know grandparents whose values transcend passing fads and pressures, and who possess the wisdom of distilled pain and joy. Because they are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations.”
I couldn't have said it better myself!
Let's take this day to reflect, learn and grow. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling (virtually if need be):
- looking at photos & telling stories
- Share a favorite memory at the exact age of the grandchildren
- Show a special object or box of heirlooms and tell the story behind each even letting the grandchildren take them out one by one while you talk
- Tell how certain things have impacted your life
- Do a comparison about favorites (song, movie, after school activity, etc). Grandparents vs. GrandKids
- If the grandparent is no longer with us, Visit the cemetery
- What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and why
- Tell about the greatest natural disaster that you’ve ever witnessed or national tragedy; Tell where you were, how you felt, & how it has changed your life
- How about a video interview for posterity!
- Talk about the wedding day and/or the proposal--including details about how each felt
- Share a recording of one of your favorite songs from your childhood
- Flip through an old school yearbook
- Share a time where you learned your biggest lesson
- Share a funny memory that involves the grandkids' parents
- Tell favorite childhood joke
- Pass down a family recipe
- Demonstrate favorite hobby
- If they are no longer with us
- Have a memory night – share memories , have their favorite meal, or go to their favorite restaurant
- Have a candlelight ceremony
- Share a momento that reminds you of the person
Despite this year's challenges, wishing you the most fulfilling grandparents day yet!
