Celebrate Grandparent's Day This September

Grandparent's day was founded by Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, an Oak Hill, W. Va., housewife. Marian worked with senior citizens for many years and her original idea included the recognition of grandparents. It was also her wish to bring attention to the needs of people residing in nursing homes. She began her campaign locally in 1970, but it wasn't until 1978, that Congress passed legislation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. Carter signed his proclamation on September 6, 1979, and the first Grandparents Day was celebrated three days later.

The Postal Service honored the tenth anniversary of the holiday with a commemorative envelope bearing the likeness of Marion McQuade. Marion passed away last year at the age of 91. She was the mother of 15, the grandmother of 43, and the great-grandmother of 15.

The National Grandparents Day Council is a non-profit corporation established by descendents of Marian H. McQuade.The Council offers these family recommendations for making National Grandparents Day special. If it is possible make Grandparent's Day a family day. Some families have small celebrations, others plan family reunions. The key is to cultivate intergenerational activities.

The following ideas can be incorporated into your celebration or used on any occasion.

Play Board Games Together
Board games that can be played by the young and old add enjoyment to family gatherings. My children love it when the adults sit down to play with them. Some suggested all time favorites; UNO, Sorry, Yahtzee, Monopoly and Checkers.

Share Family Photo Albums
Going through family photo albums is informative, bonding, and fun. Help your children and/or grandchildren identify and date the photos in old family albums. Many happy memories can be created, and the activity provides a time to discover one's roots and learn patience, understanding and appreciation for the elderly. A grandparents day celebration in any form is a perfect time to enhance communication between the generations.

Pass Along Your Special Skills
Provide an opportunity for a grandparent to pass down a special skill, hobby, or interest. Whether it is preparing a beloved family recipe, sewing skills, genealogy, artistic endeavors, or tips for making the garden's crops plentiful. Sharing these skills with family members can become an honored tradition. It could also be special songs, music, celebrations, or even beliefs. Grandparents are a wealth of information rich in history. The knowledge helps to preserve the heritage that makes the family so very special.

Sharing with your grandchildren through the art of letter writing is personal and special. Children get their views of the world, by what they see and hear about and from their families. Personal lore, letter stories and anecdotes give grandchildren a greater view and idea of what their grandparents believe and hold dear. Grandparents usually have fascinating childhood memories and stories of what happened to the family over the years. Grandchildren want to enter this part of grandma's and grandpa's world. If this process has a positive orientation it can contribute to the molding and maturity of the granchild creating values, models and morals. Grandpa and grandma stories become a treasured part of a child's inheritance.

Make this grandparent's day distinct with a gift from your heart. Whether you choose to create a gift or purchase, a thoughtful selection always makes the recipient feel special. I have found some lovely jewelry, fabulous books, whimsical apparel and delicate figurines that will delight a grandmother or grandfather.

Studies indicate that strong family and social ties are much healthier for individuals than isolation. Concern for other's welfare can reduce feeling's of helplessness and depression thus enhancing health. For grandparent's this equates into a vibrancy and vitality that enriches their latter years. Grand-parent-grandchild interaction is a deep and powerful bond that thrives through nourishment and thoughtful acts.

Here are some more ideas from the The National Grandparents Day Council.

Involve grandparents in daily activities and events. Grandparents offer very special relationships with their grandchildren and a close relationship can forge a very special bond that spans the age differences and times.

Remember those who are in nursing homes and are unable to be with their families. Grandparents typically bestow a loving spirit. Teaching gratitude and respect can start with our very youngest generation.

Remember others' grandparents in nursing homes who are unable to be with their families or, sadly enough, have no families. Even simple acknowledgements such as a card or a phone call can brighten the day of a senior.

My grandparent's have passed away and I miss them very much indeed. A melancholy wistfulness enters my heart when I think of the times we spent together. I miss fishing and camping with my grandfather and his endless wonderful stories. My grandmother became my best friend in my twenties. She was a tireless worker, a staunch ally and a women who never ceased to give. The memories that I have are treasured and cherished. I am sending my love on the wings of a prayer this grandparent's day that we will meet again. If you are blessed with grandparent's take time, make time and savor the time you have together.