Grandparent's Day!!

Sunday is Grandparent's Day! Most people, myself included, believe this holiday was started by the greeting card companies to boost their profits. But, whether it was for that reason or not, why has it taken so long to recognize the appreciation and love for grandparents? When I was a kid I remember a bunch of my friends didn't have all their grandparents living...some didn't even have or know their grandparents at all. I could not imagine then what that would have been like...nor have I ever wanted to find out. I have always had a soft spot for the elderly...especially in my family...even when they weren't elderly, just merely in their 40's & 50's which in my childhood seemed like elderly. I was blessed to have all 4 grandparents until April of 2001.

In April of 2001, the day after Easter Sunday, I got a dreaded call from my parents around 4:30 am to get to the hospital because they were performing CPR on my grandfather. My grandfather had a surgery a few weeks prior for chronic pain in his back, neck, etc. He was in a recovery hospital which failed to do their jobs which led to his stay in ICU at a real hospital. Even though he was in ICU, I fully expected-with out a doubt in my mind-that he would recover soon. When I visited on Easter Sunday he was unable to speak...he was in bad shape but he had always pulled through in the past. I kneeled at his bedside and remember talking to him and making plans for our dog's birthday party...his baby blue eyes seemed to know what I was saying. He was speaking through his eye movement. I never said goodbye...because I never thought I needed to. Before 24 hours was up, I got the call to come to the hospital. I rushed to pick up my sister and she was crying in the car...I just kept telling her to stop & that he would be okay. We were within 10 feet of the ICU waiting room within view of my parents who had brought my grandmother. My dad walked to meet us and told us he didn't make it. I did not believe him...nor the nurses. I didn't believe anyone until I saw him in the bed. His eyes were no longer open...there was no more communicating. His hand was cold...the hand that would always pat me on my shoulder to comfort me. That was the first death that had turned my world upside down.

Onto happier times...

Pankaw-(my mother's father)he passed in 2001, but lived a long and honorable life. He had very humble beginnings. His mother died when he was a young child and his father worked on the railroad which meant my grandfather was in boarding homes through his childhood. He was a strong believer in hard work and taking pride in building life from very little to making it to where he was...successful in work, family, & friends. He always said he came from the school of hard knocks...and he was justified in saying so. He was a storyteller...I loved hearing his stories...even if it were for the fifth or sixth time! He was a large, yet gentle man. He was a man I greatly admired and respected...not to mention loved very deeply.

Granny-(my father's mother)she passed in 2007. She had suffered for about 7 years with dementia. Her body and some of her mind was there, but she (who she really was) died when she suffered her strokes. She was such a caring woman. She spoiled me whenever I would spend summers with her every year. She hand sewed so many outfits for me and my Barbie's. She was quiet, but could get her temper going if anyone ever was a threat to her family. She was the type to hold me when I was sick, play with my hair when I couldn't sleep. Those quiet moments meant the world to me...she was compassionate and you never wondered if she loved you...you knew it by just her touch.

Jim-(my dad's father) is living in Conroe. He was as patient and understanding as any man could be when faced with my grandmother's situation. He stuck by my grandmother through the 7+ years of her illness. I could see the great love he had for her in those times. He truly loved her passionately. Jim has always been a man of pride. He has taken such pride in his family history. He is the historian of the family...he has linked the old and the new and shown the new how great the old was. He taught me to appreciate my family roots and to not let them disappear and be forgotten.

Granny-(my mom's mother) moved from Sealy to Katy, right next door to my parents about 3 years ago. I have been so blessed to have her so close to me. I love spending time with her...especially when no one else is around. She was the oldest of 6 children. She has always been a strong woman. When I was a kid, she always spoke her mind whether you liked it or not! But, when she told you something, you knew she was saying the truth. When my grandfather died, her heart broke. I had always seen this fiercely strong woman and when he died, I saw her strength falter. For a woman so strong, it was evident of the pain she felt of his loss and the great love she felt for him in life. During the holidays mainly, I see her missing him greatly. There's been something missing in her glow since his death. But, she has remained a strong woman through it all. She always has put forth her best.

I wish I could write everything I feel for them, but I would be going on for days. I will write my greatest lesson from each:

Pankaw Brown-to work hard and with honor and love gently.
Granny Grayson-to be compassionate and to give more than you take.
Jim Grayson-to remember and take pride in your history when your making your future.
Granny Brown-to be strong and know you can endure everything life throws at you.

So, with this Grandparent's Day, my hope for everyone is to truly appreciate your grandparent's whether they are living or have passed. Just remember how they have helped shape your life and add so many great memories. In current times, people are too busy rushing here and there and not taking time to just stop and enjoy each other. I think that is the time in which our grandparents were raised...where you just stop and appreciate what you have.