There are very special people who make up the foundation of a family: grandparents. They are the ones who spoil us with shopping trips and ice cream before dinner, and they always lend a "yes" when our parents tell us no. They are Nanas, Pops, Mimis, Papas, Maw Maws, Gramps and Grams. Their houses hold so many memories as we spent most of our time growing up there, climbing their trees and swinging in their backyards. Grandparents share their stories and life lessons freely, and there is so much to be learned. They have seen hard times and lived through conditions that you and I could not imagine enduring for a day. They are secret keepers. Number one fans at our sporting events. Taxi drivers for us and our friends. They were there when we needed help on school projects, no matter how difficult they may have been. Grandparents are the listening ears when we need to vent and just talk about life. As young kids, going over to our grandparents house was nearly an every day occasion. When our parents were working, our grandparents stepped in to pick us up from school and cater to our needs. They babysat and helped mold us into the individuals we all are today. We have spent our entire lives being cared for by our grandparents. However, as we grow up, there comes a time when instead of them caring for us, we as grandchildren must take care of them.
It isn't easy watching grandparents age. The adventures we once had taken begin to become less and less as they just can't do the activities they once could. Those once strong hands that used to push us on the swings for hours upon hours have now become weak and frail. Along the journey of growing older, sickness and health problems come in waves and affect the entire family. Seeing grandparents hurt and become ill is tough and hard on everyone, and we have to step up and care for our grandparents who have always been there to care for us. They need us.
Our grandparents need us not only to help them with tasks they can't do by themselves anymore, but they need us to listen to them and to simply visit with them. They now need someone to drive them around and watch over them. The tables have turned, and now we owe it to them to take care of them to the best of our abilities. After so many years of looking after us, we should be grateful to be able to give back to them. My relationship with my grandparents has only strengthened as I have learned to take the time to care for them. With each passing day, I become more and more thankful for the memories made with my grandmas and grandpa. There are not enough words to express the love and appreciation I have for them. There is a special bond formed between grandchildren and their grandparents that is irreplaceable. Hug your grandparents tight and cherish the little moments because, although we may forget it sometimes, they may need the hug even more than we do.
