Grandparents Day
This day has a threefold purpose:
To honor grandparents.
To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children.
To help
children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
It is
only right and fitting that one-day of the year is set aside to honor our grandparents. It
is time to celebrate those special people who are always there with a hug, a kiss, a
cookie, something special, or take us somewhere.
If you can, enjoy the day with them. That is the
greatest gift they can receive from you. If you can’t see them, call them. When you
call, make sure you have the time for a long conversation. Remember, grandparents will
always ask about you first and listen intently to everything you have to say. They are
never rushed or in a hurry. They are there just for you.
The impetus
for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in
Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely
elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and
heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed
that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after
Labor.
Hallmark Cards requested
permission from Mrs. McQuade to publish specially designed greeting cards, which the
founder described as "a very nice line." The firm volunteered a royalty to
defray expenses, but the McQuades declined. "It would take away from the
meaning," she said with great sincerity. "From the beginning I didn't want to
make money, and I won't accept donations."
"I am the luckiest person in the world," McQuade declares with conviction ringing in her voice. "I have a wonderful, understanding husband, my children are healthy and well, and my grandchildren and great-grandchildren brighten my day.
Then I have my work promoting Grandparents Day, working with seniors, helping Jim Comstock with the Past 80 Party, and visiting the sick and lonely in hospitals and nursing homes. What more could I want?" Indeed, giving of herself is this cheerful but determined native West Virginian's greatest joy. And because she cares so much, the nation now has a permanent way to recognize the positive contribution of grandparents everywhere.
Let's Go See Our Grandparents
(tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)
Let's go see our Grandparents
Take us there for a while
Mommy and Daddy both need a break
We'll play games and we'll stay up real late
Oh
we want to thank our Grandparents
For all the things that they do
So its... time... to... say
"You're the Best! And that WE LOVE YOU!