Amy with her grandma Lela
Thank God for grandparents everywhere who love with perspective, and to grandchildren everywhere who so need such love.
Sometimes I think that love – to be it’s sweetest – must ripen on the family tree one generation beyond the parent stage. Oh, parental love is tough – like a fruit picked partially green; it will take a lot of jostling. But to be infused with the sweet juices of compassion, humor, and understanding, love needs a little ripening.
Someone has said the generation gap is only between succeeding generations. Defenses seem to wane after that. When you can’t tell your parents, you can always tell grandma. If daddy can’t fix it, grandpa can. And don’t we all deserve to have at least one person in our lives who thinks we’re the prettiest, the smartest, the cleverest, and the least flawed person on the face of the earth?
With environmentalist Lee in Colorado
Simon with is papaw Bill at Culver Academy
Let others warn, discourage, point out the pitfalls. Grandparents are for encouraging, embracing, accepting and risking the moon.
Of course, grandparenting has changed. Granny, these days, is seldom knitting in her rocker. She is more likely to be racing her grandchildren down the street on her motor scooter or teaching them in-line skating. Grandads are more likely showing their grandkids to speed-shift the convertible than to plow a straight furrow. But grandparents still think you can, believe in the impossible, and take the time. They may even, if you’re good, let you stay up late watching Gaither Homecoming videos!
