Natalie Whatley

Happy Grandparents Day to all fortunate enough to hold the title. I know some of you will notice the lack of an apostrophe; my non-usage is technically correct. Like everything else these days, there is some controversy on whether it’s “Grandparents Day”, “Grandparent’s Day”, or “Grandparents’ Day”. I’m going with what’s on the official U.S. Proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter back in 1978. I realize many question whether or not he got things right, but that’s another discussion for another day.

The first Sunday following Labor Day is set aside “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.” Marian McQuade, who lobbied in the 70’s to have the day officially recognized, is credited as the founder of the holiday. The purpose of her mission:  to show how senior citizens add remarkable facets to young lives by stepping up to the pass-on-the-wisdom plate.  I always thought Hallmark was responsible for getting this one started.  Now I feel a little guilty for not celebrating in a more grandiose fashion – apologies to my children’s grandparents.

In the human realm, it’s often said that grandchildren are God’s reward for allowing children to reach adulthood. Parents of teenagers know exactly why some in the animal kingdom eat their young, and while I’m in the thick of learning that using some restraint now will have benefits later, there are days I “get it” all too well. Pass the ketchup, please.  

Scientists are baffled by what’s called filial cannibalism (the eating of one’s own offspring), but after various studies have reached the conclusion that it most likely occurs when an animal senses a particular youth will take longer than others to reach independently-functioning maturity.  Humans have a problem in that adulthood seems to be pushing to an older age.  I’m not sure I’ll make it without at least a snack along the way.

Sixteen years of parenting has caused me to thoroughly ponder the popular grandparent statement, “If I had known how much fun grandchildren would be, I would’ve had them first.” My respectful rebuttal to my own parental figures is that had I known you’d be so much fun when you became grandparents, I would’ve finagled some sort of deal with the Big Guy to send me down a little later.

I’m frequently told how grandparents are way cooler than parents. Duh! I hope the grandparents appreciate the parents keeping up the charade; I know for a fact they weren’t the money dispensing, agreeable sort they are now. I often relish the idea of bursting that bubble. I refrain because I know one fine day it will all come full circle, and it will be my turn.

Many of us raise children in the hopes of seeing those children to a better place. From where I am now, my children are actually going to see me to a better place…a place I couldn’t have reached without them or their grandparents. Grandparents: Thanks for your many contributions. I don’t know where we’d be without you.

© 2008 Natalie Whatley

Tags: Grandparents, Grandparents Day