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Special Gifts

The Influence of Grandparents

By Rachel Anna

Last January my grandmother suffered a devastating stroke. While she is still alive, she is no longer the woman I knew as a child. The last 10 months have reminded me what gifts grandparents are to families. Our grandparents carry with them seemingly endless amounts of wisdom and love to impart on each successive generation.

It seems society is quick to throw away the elderly. As a culture we seem to forget people once they can no longer contribute as much or as well as they once did. It's sad, and I hope it can change with the coming generations.

I tell my children the same stories that my grandmother used to tell me. I teach them songs and riddles that she was kind enough to share with me. I delight in teaching them things that she taught me and am sure to tell them where my knowledge and experience has come from. I hope they look into my eyes and see warmth and love when I speak of my grandmother.

I want my children to know that from their grandparents and previous generations there is much to be learned. I want them to know that cherishing the elderly is the only way to preserve the past, and our loved ones' legacy. I wish for them to know that from their grandparents love, hope and acceptance will always be found in abundance.

I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse at the girl that my grandmother once was, as she shared that part of herself with me from time to time. I hope that my love and respect for her will carry over to my girls and they will learn to care for and love their grandparents in a special way all their own. It's a rewarding experience I'd hate for them to miss out on.

I suppose part of my motivation in teaching my children the importance of caring for our elderly is selfish. One day I will be the old woman, and I'd hate to be forgotten or looked upon as a burden to my family. I hope that I can be successful in sharing the importance of family and past generations so that I will be cared for and considered an essential part of the family.

I can't change society alone, but I can influence it in a small way with my children. I hope that someday they'll realize what gifts they've been given in their grandparents. And hopefully, they'll pass along the importance of these special gifts to their children.

Want to see more?

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• One Man's Story: The Life and Times of Bill McCall
• Grandma in Charge: When Grandparents Care for Kids
• Talk about it!