A Tribute to Grandparents: Grandparents Day 2015

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6

As a child, one of my fondest memories of my Grandmother was her hands. I remember how soft and gentle they were. I remember how I loved to hold her hands in mine and cherish the times she visited us from out of town. She taught me how to pray as a child and is still deeply invested in my life today.

My other Grandmother, who is now in heaven, always had the best sleepovers! She loved to watch television late into the night and when I stayed overnight I hardly slept a wink. She always had a stash of chewing gum in one of her cupboards that I loved to get into. She was short and feisty and I loved her so much!

I love watching my children interact with their grandparents. They have two sets of grandparents who live in town, as well as two great grandpas in town and another set of greats in Atlanta, GA. The love and respect they share for one another is just the greatest thing on earth.

Grandparents hold the key to our hearts in ways that no one else can. They play many roles in our lives and fill all kinds of voids. Their unconditional love and encouragement makes us strive to grow and live and make them proud of us.

Many of them say being a grandparent is one of life’s greatest blessings.

Parenting is hard. The days are long, the hours are endless and that’s why God made grandparents! They have more patience, wisdom and perspective since they have lived through the parenting years. They’re sitting on the sidelines cheering us on as we journey through this parenting thing. They love to share pictures of their grandchildren and to hear their voices on the phone.  They buy our children gifts we could never afford and they help them with projects we’re too tired to take on. They may be open to offering advice or quietly waiting to be asked for it. No matter their roles, their impact is huge! I am so thankful for my grandparents and my children’s grandparents. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person or mother I am today.

In honor of Grandparents Day, take a moment to express gratitude for them! To those who have gone before us and to those who are with us now. To those who live minutes away and those who are halfway across the country. Let us never take their wisdom, prayers, sacrifice and love for granted.

Please share in the comments some of your favorite memories or traditions with your Grandparents or your kiddos' Grandparents.

Fun suggestions for showing Grandparents gratitude

• Write a note. There’s nothing like snail mail to make their day!
• Make a photo book full of memories and pictures together (or have a photo blanket made)
• Share memories of your (and/or their) grandparents with your children
• Treat them to dinner
• Give them a call

This year Grandparents Day falls on Sunday, September 13, 2015.