The Importance of Grandparents in the Lives of Their Grandchildren

Our school verses are Psalm 78:4-7, “We will… tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord… so that they should set their hope in God.  We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done.” Verses 6 and 7 go on to say, “that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God.”  Multiple generations are to tell!   I have a little book entitled Grandma, Grandpa, and Me – Stuff Kids Tell Us.  It’s a compilation of quotes from children ages 7-11 about their grandparents. It is hilarious!  Here are some quotes from these adorable grandchildren:“I love to watch Grandpa shave. He uses a brush and a lot of shaving cream, and sometimes he even puts some on me.  My Dad uses an electric razor and that’s no fun.”  (Artie, age 8)“Every time I go shopping with mom she goes fast and says hurry up, hurry up.  But grandma always has plenty of time and lets me look at whatever I want to.” (Marietta, age 11)And Ashley, age 8 said, “I love them because that’s what they’re there for.”And lastly, “If you don’t have kids, you don’t get to be a grandparent. That’s the deal.” (Jeffrey, age 8)I have had this little book for years and every time I read it, I am reminded of the preciousness of the relationship between children and their grandparents! For a child, grands are those kind-hearted, generous, carefree, always loving folks who know how to tell stories and know how to take their TIME for all the ‘important things in life’. I do believe grandparents are God’s greatest gift on earth.As I reflect on my own grandparents, I cannot recall one thing they gave me in the way of gifts – except piano lessons because my parents couldn’t afford them; however, I do recall the TIME they spent with me. I lived down the road from my dad’s parents, and that provided ample interaction. Spending the night on Fridays and scarfing down brown cows (vanilla ice cream with root beer) was a favorite.  After grandpa died, I lived with Grandma for about four months, boarding the school bus at her house, and helping her adjust to Grandpa’s passing. I remember snuggling with her while she listened to the White Sox baseball games on the radio. We were quite a team – Grandma and me.Memories…experiences…They don’t need to be costly or outlandish. As Gigi, I remind myself to go easy on the gift-giving. Books are BEST! My grandchildren are currently living on another continent, but I am able to read to them and interact through the wonders of technology. Not the same as lap time, but I’m thankful to God, nonetheless. If you are a grandparent and reading this, I hope you are making EVERY effort to be engaged! Just today, I had coffee with a friend who told me that her retired in-laws were moving back to Atlanta from Jacksonville, FL, to be involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Parents, as summer approaches and the routine of school-life is in the rear view mirror, I hope you are able to give your children ample time with their grandparents. And in the words of Laura, age 8, “I wonder what grandparents do when you’re not there, or when they’re not here. I bet not very much because they’re always waiting to see you whenever you want.”  That’s right, Laura; they are dependable!