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Cherishing every minute spent with grandchildren

Many of us have or are experiencing the following pleasure: The minute the car door slams shut, you can hear the laughing and excited talking of children reverberating into the house. Then comes the footsteps clambering onto the porch, and the calls of “Grandpa and Grandma, we’re here!” echoing throughout the house.

These children are our grandchildren. Some of us may have the cherished opportunity of seeing the grandchildren on a regular basis, while others not as often. What we all have in common, though, is the desire to make the best of whatever time we do have with them.

When they are visiting, my wife and I will go into our basement and gather toys, games, and books from their father, uncles, and aunt when they were young. Grandpa will also gather some of the toys and games of his youth. He quickly dusts them off and hauls them all upstairs. Some of Grandpa’s toys that he resurrected are the Uncle Wiggly game, Cartoon-o-Scope, and Draw-and-Tell (I bet some of you can recall these!). Once gathered, we would gingerly sit on the floor and commence to enter into their imaginative world of play with them. This can last for hours until both sets of people (grandchildren and grandparents) are tired.

To enter their aforementioned imaginative world of play is precious. Through this experience, we (grandparents) have the time to observe and appreciate their creativity and imagination at a much more personal level. By that, I mean we are not encumbered by daily problems, stress, time, and providing for the family as their parents have. For us, time is short; every minute with them is cherished.

They come to us unblemished by the world around them; they see good in all and have an unwavering trust. Sadly, this will change as they mature. But, the love, the values, and the family ties that were created when they were young will enable them to endure and successfully circumnavigate the storms they will encounter in their lives.

Oops! I have to go. I hear the sounds of children echoing up the porch steps! So, until next month . . .

This article is dedicated to my high school classmates of West Iron County’s Class of 1970, my family, and friends who have been an inspiration to me.

Daniel J. Paul is a retired school administrator. His articles focus on education, old-fashioned family values, relationships, and other topics. His website is at meaningfuldifferences.net.

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