One of my professors made a statement as we entered finals week. “Call your grandparents today and tell them you love them, because this is the time of year that they all die.” As abrupt and uncouth as his words were, it got me thinking that our grandparents’ time on this earth is indeed limited, and we absolutely need to embrace them for the wisdom-filled gems that they are. I could ramble on forever on how my grandparents are the best, but this short list will just have to suffice.
1. Grandparents are a bottomless well of wisdom.
Having lived through well over half a century, grandparents are always there to give the best advice. While I wouldn’t necessarily ask my grandma what to wear on a Saturday night, the life advice she has given me through all my crises has, time and time again, been unparalleled by any other.
2. Grandparents make the best food.
If your grandparents don’t cook amazing food from their old family recipes, then I am sincerely sorry. Even if it’s just a quick visit, they will prepare a five-course meal with their finest china. Grandparents want us to be well-fed and will instantly comment if we look a little “thin.”
3. Grandparents always make sure we’re “taken care of.”
Whether it's a birthday, Christmas or any other day, grandparents are always slipping us cash. They want to make sure we have enough money for alcohol food. It goes back to the fact that we can’t get too “thin.”
4. Grandparents have the best sense of humor…
…usually revolving around their own kids. If you ever need dirt on your mom, grandma surely has plenty. They’ll also relive your parent’s awkward teenage years and let you in on the glory.
5. Grandparents take your side during an argument.
Nothing compares to a grandparent’s love for his or her grandkid, and this always works to our benefit. Grandpa will beat up anyone who crosses his grandbaby, and you do NOT want to see grandma’s bad side. They’ll especially take your side when you’re arguing with your parent.
6. Grandparents tell really good stories.
Most of our grandparents have some memory of WWII, Vietnam, the 60s and all those other pivotal historic events. For those of us who are extra lucky, our grandparents came here from another country and they can tell us all about what its like “back home.”
7. Grandparents always have a reserve of candy.
I think it’s a rule in the Grandparent Handbook that they have to have a dish with and endless supply of hard candy. Peppermints, caramels — you name it, and your grandparents have it. If you’re lucky, they even have a tin of cookies buried somewhere in the pantry. Pro tip: beware of the sugar-free imposters.
8. Grandparents are always there to help.
Ripped pants? Call grandma. Botched hair-dye job? Call grandma. Bad day at work? Call grandma. With their many years of wisdom also comes many valuable skills. I’m convinced that grandmas are the last people on earth who even know how to thread a needle. If you need something, chances are they have it.
9. Grandparents + technology = endless entertainment.
Modern day phones and computers are so foreign to our beloved seniors. My Gran called the “selfie” a “face-y” for the longest time. While it can be frustrating to teach them how to use the backspace key, just remember that they’re the ones that changed our diapers and taught us how to use a fork.
10. Grandparents give us every opportunity they can.
Gran and gramps have already raised their own kids, so they already know the do’s and don’t’s of bringing up the next generation. Since they don’t always have to do the dirty work, they get to take us on once-in-a-lifetime vacations and give us every chance they didn’t get to broaden our horizons. Make sure you thank grandpa for all those fishing trips.
11. Grandparents are always so proud of their grandkids.
Whether it’s photos on their iPhone, (which you taught them how to use) or an accordion of photos in their wallets, grandparents will brag about their grandkids whenever they can. They love telling their friends at Bingo how we made an A on our last test, how we got a new haircut or even how we sent them a card. It doesn’t take much to make them proud, but we know that they’ll always be our number one fans and the people we can count on the most.
