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When we were younger…we prided ourselves in being what we would call hip!

We were hip by our music, by how we danced, even the clothes that we wore.

and as grandma’s and grandpas we still think we’re hip

but we’re told no-one uses that term anymore….

Back then when it came time to watch the Grammys

we knew the words to every song…

we watched as the performers did their singing and dancing

and we danced 

and we sang along…

But as the years have slipped away from us

though we still have our musical hunger

it seems the people doing the singing 

have gotten younger

and younger 

and younger.

So now when it’s time to watch the Grammys

we don’t always feel we belong…

We often can’t understand what it is they are singing

which makes it impossible to sing along.

And if we try to dance like they dance

we don’t feel like hipsters…at all.

In fact the only hip we are feeling

Is the one that we bruise…when we fall!

So now we sit back and relax watching the Grammys

they still put on a wonderful show

and we listen and try as old hipsters

to pick up and use their argot…

So this year we were dope with the clothes they wore on that stage

and dope with the songs that were sung…

though we’re pretty sure dope doesn’t mean the same thing

as it did back when we hipsters were young.

Why do grandchildren love visits from their grandparents?

It’s not just the cookies or the presents they might bring.

It’s how the love they share brings comfort to their souls

and allows their hearts to sing…

And why do grandparents love visiting their grandchildren?

Because their souls, too, are comforted…

their love songs, too, are sung…

and because

even though they may feel older…

their grandchildren keep them young. 

Over the weekend our two youngest grandchildren came to our house to stay

(the two older ones no longer live at home and their parents were away).

We laughed, we ate, we walked, we danced

they played on our computer in between

and we noticed, after we returned them home,

they’d left their fingerprints on its screen.

And when we saw their fingerprints we sighed

thinking how the moments they now stay with us are few…

how they’ve grown up so quickly…

Wasn’t it only yesterday when they were 2?

With the two older grandchildren off at college

and the the two youngest growing fast

we try our best, when we get together,

to make each moment last…

Their lives now take them in different directions 

to different places…new routines

and we wait patiently with net in hand…

to capture moments in between…

Which is why we have decided to preserve 

this latest moment in between…

to make it last a little longer…

and keep their fingerprints on our screen.

The day I was born I noticed it…

how you sheltered me from harm…

Why, I even fell asleep…

in the comfort of your arms…

For when you put your arms around me and hugged me to her chest.

I felt warm…I felt love…I felt safe, 

I felt secure…and blessed.

Blessed to be with someone whom I already know

will make me feel this way…wherever I may go…

Blessed to know wherever I may go in life…your arms will always reach me

Blessed to know you, Grandma,…have so much you will teach me.

You’ll teach me about love and kindness…compassion…and integrity

You’ll teach me about strength and beauty…and generosity…

For you know the secret of Grandmahood 

(and perhaps to life as well)…

A secret all you Grandmas know but often do not tell…

I’m not sure where you learned it

How it became the Grandma’s creeds…

To always give more than you can give…

and take less than you may need.

But means whenever we’re together

love will fill the air

and every time I climb into my your arms…

I’ll find some comfort there.

People say Grandpa and I are a lot alike in how we look and what we do

and sitting here with Grandpa…I guess that’s kinda true.

I mean we both like fancy clothes…and dressing with some flair…

and quiet moments when we walk…in nothing but our underwear.

We both have bald spots on our heads, 

but here’s something to think about

not all my hair has grown in yet

while most of his is out.

We both make funny faces and our tummies are soft and round.
and sometimes for no apparent reason our bodies make odd sounds,

We both love to play.

We both love to drink…and eat

And both of us, at times, are a little unsteady on our feet.

We both love to read books

despite the discrepancy in our ages

In truth…Grandpa does all the reading

but I like listening and turning pages. 

We both smile when we see each other…

Moms say it’s because we share a heart

and when it’s time to say goodbye

we’re both sad we have to part…

But you know…the more I think about it…

I have to disagree

I don’t think I’m at all like Grandpa

But he sure is a lot like me.

Grandparents know their grandchildren make life more interesting.

How they add beauty and laughter…

how they enhance…

But what do you do when your grandchildren ask…

“Hey PopPop do you wanna dance?”

You immediately weigh out your options.

It’s not pretty when you shimmy and shake.

You think of your poor aging muscles…

and all of the parts you might injure or break.

You’re not as limber or athletic as you once were.

Who are you kidding! 

You were seldom limber and never athletic!

Then you look at your grandchildren and ask yourself,

Do I risk looking awkward and pathetic?

You never danced much when you were younger

not even at sock hops while you were in school

and with your grandchildren patiently waiting…

do you risk looking, now, like a fool?

Then you think of your grandchildren and you marvel

at how fast they are growing each day

and you think…life is made up of moments like this

and decide not to let this one slip away…

So you smile and you take a deep cleansing breath…

determined not to to miss out on this chance…

you find a place between your two grandchildren

and when the music starts…

you start…

to dance

The little boy was crying…his cheeks were stained…his eyes were blurred

when his grandpa sat down next to him…without uttering a word.

The little boy looked up at his grandpa…he couldn’t tell him of his fears

He wanted his grandpa to think him brave…but he could not hide his tears.

His grandpa reached over taking his hand in his…then he gazed out on the lawn…

“She was a beautiful lady, your grandma.” he said…”It’s hard to believe she’s gone.”

It hurts right here his grandpa said…it’s like my heart is shrinking

The little boy looked at his grandpa…how could know what he was thinking?

I’m just so sad and angry the little boy said…if this is what love does…then….

I will never…never..never…love another person again…

But what about me, your mom and dad and you’re brothers and sisters too?

You can’t stop loving us anymore than we can stop loving you.

“Life will have it’s ups and down” His grandpa said, 

“You’ll find from the moment you are born

if you want to enjoy the beauty of the rose…

you have to experience some thorns.”

The little boy laid his head in his grandpa’s lap…

his grandpa patted him and smiled…

The little boy closed his eyes still crying…

and they sat in silence for a while…

“But there’s too much risk in loving!” the little boy said having given this some thought…

“No!” his grandpa said hugging his grandson close…

“there’s too much risk in not.”

Yesterday I was given a shirt (Thanks Wendy!)…

On the shirt were two of my grandchildren and me acting like hams

and it got me to thinking as I wore it…as a grandparent…how lucky I am…

My grandparents died when I was too young to remember them

one of Fate’s unexplainable twists…

not remembering anything about them…I never knew all the things that I missed.

What traditions would they have passed on to me 

if they had been there to watch me grow?

What wisdom would they have imparted?  

Would they have been proud?…

Unfortunately I’ll never know.

But I‘ve been lucky enough to be a part of my grandchildren’s lives...

To participate, to be alive…to see…

And I’m not sure who’s benefitted more from grandparenthood…

my grandchildren…or me.

I’ve learned to enjoy this roller coaster ride…

up and down through all the emotions I’ve felt.

I’ve learned how a look…or the touch of a tiny hand 

can cause this old heart to melt. 

I’ve learned how to listen when they tell me their stories…

no matter how exotic or benign.

I’ve learned to ignore their groans and the roll of their eyes when I retell some of mine.

I’ve learned not to worry if I flail when I dance or all the times I may warble off key.

I’ve learned you’re never to old to run, jump or play…

or climb to the top of a tree.

I’ve learned not to give big knives to a three year old.

I’ve learned of the wonder a smile can evoke.

I’ve learned to love hearing a grandchild say PopPop.

I’ve learned how to laugh at the same knock knock jokes.

From my grandchildren I’ve learned to see the world through innocent eyes…

I’ve learned what it feels like to be free…

This shirt proves they’ve taught me how to be silly…

(or is that a lesson that they've learned from me?)

Yes, It’s true I never knew them…

that is not a path the Fates had allowed

But I like to think…if they saw the shirt I was wearing today…

My grandparents would be proud.

Yesterday we volunteered at Ava’s school…at its annual jog-a-thon

The sun was shining and clouds dotted the sky…as we stood upon the lawn.

Music was blaring from loud speakers…playing a host of popular tunes

when Ava’s class arrived on the scene…a little after noon.

Ava jogged a couple laps…she was running steady, fast and strong

but when she decided to walk the next lap…

I decided to walk along.

We talked about frivolous things…and sometimes…we didn’t talk at all.

As we spent this moment together…I thought…when did she get so tall?

I remember thinking as we walked along together…

taking this moment to reminisce

how life is made up of simple moments ….

Simple…yet wonderful moments like this.

Moments that may not seem like much…

as we gossip about school or talk about the weather

But moments that are truly special…

because they’re moments we spend together…

We learn to hold dear these moments 

we learn to treasure everything about them…

Because any moment spent with the people we love

surpasses any moment spent without them…

So…if you have a chance to spend time with someone you love

By all means take the time and spend it…

And you have a chance to take a walk with your granddaughter

I would very much recommend it!

Because life is made up of moments like this

And it would behoove us all to learn…

Once a moment like this is over…

It’s over…

never to return.