I've been at my desk since 6:45 this morning, working on various assignments and sorting out some data, and just now I felt as if my grandfather was looking over my shoulder saying "yes, Cindy, that's right ... you've almost got it, I know you'll figure it out." I turned to see if he was standing there ~ that's how strong of a presence I felt.
My grandfather was 50 years older than me, so that always made it easy for me to remember his age. My grandmother, too. My dad's parents. The grandparents who lived closer so we got to see them several times a year, either at our house or their house.
I miss my grandparents and wish I hadn't missed all those opportunities to learn more about them. My grandfather passed away in May 2000, my grandmother in January 1997. But I do remember things they told me and things that my grandfather told my DH. He said his one regret was that they didn't travel while they were younger and able to; that they waited too long to see the world and then they didn't get to go. He told us to not let those moments slip by.
So while we don't have a big house or drive fancy cars or wear designer clothes, we do make sure to travel ... to see the world around us, both near and far away. We do it because Grandpa told us to - to not miss it - so wherever we go, we take his spirit with us.
If your grandparents are still living, remember to tell them you love them. Ask them about their childhood and young adult years. Listen to them ~ really really listen. And if yours have passed on, take a moment to think about them, to remember them for something they did or said that was special to you.
And if you have children of your own, don't let them be slacker-grandchildren. Foster that relationship when you can. Encourage them to be a part of each other's lives, whether they live near or far. Teach them to listen, really listen.
Friday, September 07, 2007
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4 comments:
What a nice posting. I am enjoying being close to my parents now that we are in Norway, and I am trying to make my children develop a close bond with them. They already have, I think. You are so right - we tend to not always appreciate what we have before it is gone.
Heidi
I am so, so happy that my kids are close to T's parents and my dad. I think R misses my mom at least as much as I do.
I think a good child/grandparent relationship is one of the BEST things that can happen to a kid.
Oh, I LOVE this post!!! We just had my grandmother stay with us for the month of July. She's lonely now that grandpa has passed and just needed to be needed somewhere. We had such a great month full of deep conversations and just sitting together on the back porch. I'm so thankful we had that time together to get to know each other. We've always had a special bond, but being a military wife, the Navy has flung us all over the country for the past 16 years so we had to get our visits in little spurts.
Thank you for reminding me how important it is to learn from the older generation!
Becca
www.beccasfreshfruit.blogspot.com
What a great post. I miss my Grandmother - my father's mom. She's the only one who met her great-grandkids and she saw them often. My kids are with their grandparents right now even. thanks for the touching reminders!
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