Thursday February 2 2017  CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS

Lana was invited by her seven year old grandson to attend Grandparents Day at his school.  And today was the big day!  Lana was determined to attend as it only happens once a year and this was her first opportunity to participate.  So I was the chauffeur and accompanied her for the celebration.  And what a celebration it turned out to be! 

It was at a private school and I was amazed at the excellent behavior of the children, their work ethic, the availability of learning tools, and the caliber of teachers.  We were present for morning devotions, prayer time for each child’s prayer request, The Lord’s Prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  I even remembered all the words to both The Lord’s prayer and the  pledge.  Following morning opening we listened to some of the children practice their recital for a speech competition. Both poetry and dramatic interpretations of stories were presented.  The children were seven, eight, and nine years of age.  I was quite impressed.  The class segued into learning time and work time.  The grandparents observed and were able to ask questions.

Following the morning session we walked to the gym and there was an all school mass for approximately 800 plus students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade.  I have never seen such quiet orderly conduct, decorum, and courtesy of so many children in one place at one time.  The mass was beautiful with music, singers, communion, and many more lovely maneuvers. 

We then went to join the children in the lunch room during the elementary lunch period.  Grandparents were offered a free lunch.  What a pleasure to watch so many well behaved children and their proud grandparents.   I asked someone how often this celebration and mass took place.  I was informed that it is presented only once a year on grandparent’s day.  How awesome is it that I had the privilege to attend.  Lana and her grandson were having such a good time together at the lunch table that I decided to make myself useful.  I went from family to family and asked if they had a cell phone.  It they did I offered to take a photo of them and their grandchildren together.  The grandparents loved it.  I had people waving me over to take their photos.  I met a lot of interesting grandparents and well behaved children.  I was able to give them a snapshot in time for them to cherish.  Only one family did not have their phone with them.  I took their photo on my phone and immediately sent it to their phone which was tucked safely in their truck outside.

Lana needed to leave and I had to stop with families still requesting me to take their photo.  Lana is still quite weak from surgery and I believe she pushed herself a bit hard today.  I was only more than happy to take her back home.  Once home she went straight to bed and slept a good part of the afternoon.  I am heading north tomorrow.  I only wish I could stay longer.

 

CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS

Kathleen Martens

February 2 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.co.

 

Memories of childhood

Come rushing back,

Of joyous excitement

There was no slack.

 

Boys and girls beaming

At grandparents in love,

Adoring adulation

Never enough.

 

Moments in time

To cherish forever,

When grandparents are gone

Memories not severed.

 

Sweet little faces

With pleasing smiles

Excited that grandparents

Came the extra mile.

 

Some so old

They wobbled a bit,

And others quite young

And very fit.

 

But it mattered not

Whether young or old,

Grandparents were grandparents

Like beams of gold.

 

Each child so happy

And grandparents eager

To share joy and love

Without being meager.

 

And my memories surfaced

Of younger years

Both joys and sorrows

Of laughter and tears.

 

It was so fun

To share in this day

Watching children

At work and play.

 

Watching grandparents

Having fun

Enjoying grandchildren

All on the run.

 

At the end of the mass a lady shared that her grandmother always said:

 

“Your children are your investment.

Grandchildren are your profit.”

 

Thank You God for my son and daughter.

Thank You God for my grandsons.

Thank You for loving them so much.

Thank You that I was able to participate in this lovely day with Lana.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!