Grandparents Day thoughts
Today is Grandparents Day at my kids’ school. My mother used to love going, and, being the grandmother. My dad has never been able to attend because he’s a teacher, and, can’t fathom a day off ;)
I never thought much about the day either way other than to pray my kids didn’t give her a hard time because it meant that she had them the whole day since they got out of school early.
But, since she died, I’m now aware of how awkward this day can be for some people.
The school is wonderful about having “special friends” if there are no grandparents, and, they will even provide a special friend if someone doesn’t have family here.
But, some people have had recent deaths in their families, while others might be estranged from their own parents, and, this seemingly simple, happy day might be anything but that.
Even though my mother-in-law is wonderful about coming here for it (I’m very grateful), I’m kind of sad that I now find the whole thing a pain in the posterior, especially since we have 8 more years of it as my youngest is only in kindergarten.
Tags: Grandparents-DayRelated Stories
POSTED IN: General
3 opinions for Grandparents Day thoughts
Bluegrass Mama
Feb 29, 2008 at 10:25 am
This kind of day is also awkward for those of us who live hundreds of miles away from family. Our children’s elementary school simply had “Eat Lunch With Your Child/Grandchild Day.” Always the week of the school bookfair, oddly enough.
midlife mommy
Feb 29, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I doubt that I will even mention grandparent’s day to my dad when it comes around again (he’s the only grandparent my daughter has now). My daughter’s school usually has some activity planned.
My mother was the heart of our family. She was the grandparent personified. My dad is just not that way. He’s awkward, and he doesn’t really connect with his grandchildren (come to think of it, he really didn’t connect all that well with my brother and I when we were growing up, either).
Just another way to count the loss, I guess. It comes in so many ways, and often catches me by surprise.
David Lancaster
Mar 23, 2008 at 11:14 am
My Mother in Law, Marian McQuade founded this day, so we could honor our Grandparents. Its overall purpose is to tap the wisdom of our elders, and hand down family values. My Grandparents are all gone but I will never forget what they taught me.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: