Grandparents Day to be celebrated

By: J. Leslie Riseden

Special Contributor to

The Steel Country Bee

“Don’t run with scissors. Look both ways before you cross the street. Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ Always wear clean underwear in case…” This is the customary counsel children get from their parents, and pass down to their own children. Safety, courtesy and hygiene are the domain of mothers and fathers. Advice from grandparents is something else altogether.

Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 11 ... which seems like an appropriate time for some local grandparents to impart advice to their children’s children.

One local grandmother just spent a few days out of town visiting her two granddaughters, ages 9 and 15. The older one will be entering high school this year, and is pretty serious about her studies, sports, and other extracurricular activities. “I’m concerned she will not leave herself time” for fun and friends. “So before I left, I told her to “have fun, and find the time to be silly and not be too serious. Time goes fast and she will never get these years back.” The nine-year-old has no problem having fun, apparently, and is quite a conversationalist, too. “So, to her, I said ‘Take a breath. It’s okay if you don’t get the last word in or the funniest line. Listen more than you talk. And, it’s past your bedtime.’”

“Grandparents make up who you are; they are your past,“ advised another local, and grandchildren should remember that “grandparents were young also, and went through a lot of what kids go through today.”

“I would tell my grandchildren that they must always be kind to everyone,“ says another grandmother from this area. “Be respectful and honest in what they say and do. Above all, follow the mantra I have lived my life by and that is to do what makes your heart sing! Love what you do and do it well.” Sound advice for all of us.

“I try not to give advice unless it’s asked for,“ says one local grandfather of four girls, ages 9 to 17. “I think it’s more important to try to be a good example -- to show them rather than tell them. I try to instill in them the importance of trust, honesty, and integrity; and of good citi zenship. I think it’s important for them to learn about where they come from, and have a sense of their heritage. And I try to teach them things by letting them experience it for themselves.” When they visit, he takes them on walks and cartrides, and they learn about flowers, trees, birds, fish and other animals. Everyone should have a PawPaw like this one.

One last piece of advice for grandchildren: You may hear those old stories over and over, and you may be at a point where you hardly even listen any more. Listen. Take notes if you have to. Write down every name, date, and place you can, then put it away somewhere safe. Because you can be absolutely certain that, one day, you’re going to wish you knew how your grandparents met, what your grandfather’s first job was, or where your grandmother learned to play the harmonica.

To grandparents everywhere... September 11 may be officially yours, but your grandchildren love you every day. Enjoy!