As we get older there is a tendency to look back at all of life experiences and recall all the happy times we enjoyed. The very special times that stand out in one’s mind… becoming a Christian, school days, falling in love, getting married, starting a family, building a house, starting a business, taking up your life’s profession, etc. However, there is one thing that God gave us to really enjoy probably more than any thing and that was becoming a grand parent. On September 7 is grandparents day and a time to remember…

Of course, all those other events were all exciting and wonderful, but was there really anything more fascinating then caring for your first grandchildren when they were around? To be able to enjoy their thoughts and actions when you got to baby sit with them and know that, at least for a little while, they believed every single thing you told them. It made you conscious of how important it was to always say the things that were true. It also gave you the chance to play some of the old childhood games like Grandma, may I?, Johnny can’t cross my river, even tag and basketball. We had permission to be a child again.

John and I enjoyed five grandsons…each one was and is very special in their own way. Our first one, our son’s first boy, got us acquainted with having a grandson around. When he grew up, he joined the Air Force and in 2001, we flew to Germany where he was stationed and we stayed for three memorable weeks. We enjoyed many experiences during that time.

Each weekend we were able to go on the military trip of that time and we visited Holland, Paris and London. During the week, John and I stayed in a military apartment in Spiecher. When our grandson was at the Air Base, John and I walked to town down the German sidewalks. We especially enjoyed a German Bakery where they had every delicacy available for our consumption. They also had an Aldies Store and  we loved the prices since American money was still worth more at that time.

When we walked at his Air Base in Spangolem in the afternoon around 4, we would suddenly hear the Star Spangle Banner played through the loudspeakers of the base and everyone would stop what they were doing, stand at attention and salute. It made us so proud of our country and those who serve.

Then Jesse, our son’s second boy came along, followed in 12 hours by our daughter’s first boy, Ryan.

Jesse was an easygoing personality and seemed to always take things in stride. He is now an 8th grade teacher of American history in Florida and loves what he does. He also coaches two girls soccer teams and they practice every day from 5-9 in the afternoon, so we can see how adaptable he is.

Ryan, our daughter Judy and husband Stan’s oldest son, has always been an out going person, always ready to learn new things. When he was a toddler, he and his brother Mike would come up with Judy and spend a few days with us at the wonderful cabin we rented from Wanda Walsh at Woodland Park, Colorado. He was always ready to try something new. We did all kinds of crafts from hunting river rocks and gluing them into people, painting them, hunting for arrow heads, building Lego’s, making up stories. etc.

We especially enjoyed the Colorado rainbow that would almost touch the cabin after a rain. I told the boys that it almost touched the cabin because that was “the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!” And it was the truth!

Our fourth grandson, Jason, was very intense in all he believed and he enjoyed helping me in anything I did…crafts, baking zwiebach, writing stories.

He always told me that if I went to heaven before he did, I should wait for him by the gate.

Our youngest grandson, Mike, was a very adaptable person. When we visited his school at Prosperity on Grandparents Day, he read a piece he had written about a favorite person. It touched my heart and I realized he had what I call “a writer’s brain.” This is exciting because you definitely have a tie with others who also have this malady. As he grew up, he asked very intelligent questions and I was so proud of him.

To all of you who will celebrate Grandparents Day on the 7th of September, make a list of all you appreciate about your grandchildren and let them know. How important it is as a grandparent to be on praying ground and remember them each day to God. Grandchildren need our prayers more than they ever did during this time the world is going through.

Being a grandparent is GRAND and definitely is “one of the greatest joys of life!

Doris welcomes your comments and can be reached at [email protected]