Happy Grandparents' Day!

If it weren't for Adam's daycare, I would have completely overlooked this year's National Grandparents's Day, which fell on Sunday. While I truly believe this to be just another Hallmark holiday, it no less takes away the importance and value of grandparents.

I was blessed to grow up with almost all of my grandparents. My paternal grandfather is from whom I inherited my red hair, and while I was very very young when he passed away, I still love to hear my Dad tell stories about him. I have a framed picture of us two redheads on my bedroom dresser. He is one person I can't wait to meet in Heaven.

His wife, my Grammy, was the epitome of what a Grandmother should be. She would bake your favorite foods when you came to visit (chocolate chip cookies and chocolate pie with merengue!) and would always be your biggest champion to your cause. She was humble and faithful and loving. We lost her in 2004 and I miss her so much.

Just a few months ago we lost our Nana, too. Her strength and courage and perseverance still inspire me to tackle whatever obstacles shall come my way with grace and dignity. I am so grateful that she was able to see my wedding and meet Adam. I feel like there was so much more to her than I ever had the chance to really know, and I miss her.

We have even joked that not only did we have our grandparents, we had extras, too! Nana was married to Wally, who we sadly lost in 2009, for over 20 years, and while he was never our grandfather by blood, he might as well have been by name.

Pop-Pop, though, has and will always be our dearest Grandpa. Growing up he was always there. While he lives away from us, he has always made an effort to visit at holidays, be present at our important milestones, and close enough for a phone call to catch up and stay up-to-date with all of our activities. I just love his laugh - a full, loud, full-bodied chuckle. I hope he knows how very much we love him and appreciate him in our lives. Last year he and his wife flew to Florida just to meet his newest great-grandson Adam. I was so touched. And his wife Lorraine, to whom he's been married for over 20 years as well, might as well be our grandmother, too. She is so enthusiastic and involved, and I have to smile when they both get on the phone together at the same time when I call. She takes wonderful care of Pop-Pop, and I appreciate her, too.

I am sure Michael could give a beautiful description of his own grandparents. Unfortunately I didn't know his paternal grandparents, but Grandma Jeanne (GiGi) has to be the kindest woman on the planet and Michael still misses his Grandpa and will always hold him as his hero and idol, a Good Man.

And as for Adam? Boy, do his grandparents love on him. His Grandpa Dave lives fairly close and has a lot of land and horses. We love spending the day at his place. His Grandma Dianne is always a big help with Adam and her other grandkids. She calls him her "Little Man" and is continually remarking how much he's just like his Daddy.

And we sure miss living so very close to Gramma and Grandpa! Gramma is coming to visit this week, and while I am so excited to see her, and I even more excited for her to see Adam. And Grandpa will be coming up soon as well, and I smile when I think how he loves to be the one to carry Adam around and show him things or show him off. They are going to be amazed by all his new words and expanded personality.

It's a little startling for me to realize that Michael and I are reaching the generation of not having grandparents but feel so blessed that I have had them for so many years, into my adulthood. I feel like everyone should always have grandparents, no matter how old you get. Who else is going to encourage you without lecture, believe in you without hesitation, overlook all of your faults, and who's only job is to simply love on you?

Thank you, Grandparents, for all the LOVE and KINDNESS and HAPPINESS you bring us! We appreciate you, and Adam's daycare appreciates you, too -- they had a special grandparents' story hour, made a special message for the out-of-town grandparents (below) and made special gifts I'll have to pass along next time we see you.

Now go tell your Grandparents how much you love them, too!

From Adam's daycare video camera, Adam at bottom