PITTSBURG, Kan. — As authors Charles and Ann Morse once said, “A child needs a grandparent, anybody's grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world."
Like many people can say about their own, my grandparents were one of a kind on both sides of the family. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my grandparents, and what life would be like if they were still here.
This Sunday, Sept. 8, is National Grandparents Day, an opportunity to honor grandparents and to help children understand the strength and guidance that older people can offer.
For me, I’d like to share a few memories of my grandparents — Robert L. “Bob” Grilz Sr., Betty Lois Grilz (Tassi), Donald Dean Pyle, and Aurelia Marie Pyle (Scassellati).
My grandfather on my mom’s side unfortunately passed away when I was approximately six years old from Lou Gehrig’s Disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The only memories I have are of him during his illness, nevertheless, I knew how much he loved and cared for me and my sisters as well as the entire family.
His wife, my grandmother, carried on his legacy and cared for us kids like no other. From the days of traveling to Frontenac to visit her, taking a trip to the department store to grab toys, picking from the pecan tree, venturing inside grandpa’s garage so that she could tell me all about him, or grabbing some food at McDonald’s, just spending quality time together. We will never forget how special she treated her grandkids.
Oh man, I can smell her Risotto or tuna spaghetti cooking in the kitchen right now.
On my dad’s side, I spent nearly every day at my grandparents’ house, whether it was helping grandpa in the garden, learning how to mow, how to use a stick shift, or how to behave appropriately around adults. The experience shaped me into the person I am today, and I can’t thank them enough for the unconditional love and support the two bestowed.
I grew up as the only boy in the family, so typically I was spoiled. That’s what grandparents do. They spoil their grandkids and make us all feel special. When I’d have a sick day from school and my parents would work, so I’d make my way to grandma and grandpa’s house so that they could take care of me.
There, I could relax on the “king’s throne,” otherwise known as my grandpa’s love seat, and they’d let me watch cartoons such as “Looney Tunes” or “Popeye” or “Scooby Doo.” I’d be treated to a nice, warm bowl of soup with a crisp can of Sprite.
I think of the times my twin sister and I would spend the day over there, playing “school” or “doctor.” We’d set up desks in the living room and grandma would act as the teacher, giving us “homework.” It was just a blast. Just continue to hold onto those memories.
According to Compassionate Nursing Service, there are a multitude of emotional and physical benefits for both grandparents and grandchildren when they spend time together.
The positive benefits for the grandchildren are that grandparents can be a source of knowledge, influence, mentorship, and friendship; enhancing emotional support and cohesiveness for the family; and serving as a connection to family legacy and heritage.
Benefits for the grandparents, however, are that they get enhanced socialization and mental well-being, which can lead to lower rates of depression; a more active lifestyle; a chance to give moral guidance while also sharing values; and the chance to gain a rewarding feeling of knowing they are making an impact in the lives of their family.
Statistics from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) also state that by the age of 65, approximately 96 percent of individuals are grandparents with four to five grandchildren on average. The study from the AARP also stated that nearly three-fourths of all eight-year-olds within the United States will likely have a living great-grandparent by the year 2030.
When it comes to those who have grandparents, like I tell everybody, be sure to embrace them while you still can. Give them a call. Honor your ancestors, and pray for those who have passed away.
For those who are grandparents or have grandparents who’d love to share their favorite memories or highlights of being so, send me an email at [email protected]. I’d love to hear your stories on how being a grandparent impacts your life or how much your grandparents have impacted you.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
