"Grandparent's Day" Prayer

You received a prefix to your first title because your children now have several of their own. If you live long enough, another prefix will be added that is greater than “grand.”Those who now exist and who earned you that first prefix wishes to ask you what the Great Flood was like and if the Garden of Eden is as lovely as people say it was.

Those who now exist wonder why many of your sentences often begin with “Back.” (“Back in my day,” “Back when I was your age,” “Back before you were born,” My back is killing me.”) Those who now exist will forever remember the scents of your home. Uniquely yours. Old furniture? Old Spice? Who knows but the redolence remains.

Spending an overnight with you was a real treat during those grade school years. Only I was chosen to spend the evening and morning hours with you. We went to bed way too early, and you snored, but I didn’t mind because it meant that you were still alive. You provided treats that parents would never have permitted which only made you more special to young mouths. You wear outdated clothes, but I guess it matches your hundred of years older than me. Also, thanks for upstaging my parents every year with your Christmas gift. You sure know how to shop.

You tell stories that seem to go on forever. I don’t always understand your stories, but I love watching how intently you tell them. Hearing your accounts for the third or fourth time helps me know what you’re trying to say. I don’t mind.

You never get angry at me, only at my parents. I like that about you. I can’t get too mad at my parents. There’s no “time out” given to you after an argument. You’ve said that you especially love us because you get to spend fun time with us, and then we go home. I understand it’s that early bedtime thing again. (Although, I remember one time when I said, “Sh_t” to you and I discovered the delightful taste of Ivory soap.) You had me do chores for you like picking raspberries in your garden when the grocery store is full of them and hedging the lawn which just seemed dumb.

You can’t seem to stop complimenting us. Whether it’s the oversized purple elephant picture or the “I don’t know what it is” picture on the refrigerator door, you smile and always say, “Wow, look at that!”

You could ease up on the hugs and kisses, but I guess our being alive means that you are too.

Thank you, grandma and grandpa, or in our family, it was Oma and Opa. Either way, it’s grand to have known you as we extend the length of your life with grand thoughts and great memories.