I always pictured the stereotype of grandparents as old and wise and telling stories of their youth. My grandparents are the ones spoiling their grandkids with candy and toys and then sending them home to their parents. My grandparents are more than this. Having such a close relationship with my grandparents paved the way for me to become the woman I am today. I believe that no matter your relationship with your grandparents, they will become some of the most influential people in your lives.

Whether your grandparents may be living or have passed, they can still be instrumental people in your life. I think that the impact grandparents have on us can go unnoticed due to their indirect involvement in our lives. I think of it as grandparents have even more untapped wisdom than our parents have because, in reality, they have experienced more life than really any of us.

I am blessed with two wonderful sets of grandparents, both sets very different. My paternal grandparents lived approximately 5 minutes from my house growing up. Some of my earliest and fondest memories of growing up consist of my grandparents. For example, my papa arriving an hour early to get his coveted spot in the carpool line at school, and how my face would turn 50 shades of red as I realized it was my papa who was the one yelling at the refs at nearly every sporting event I participated in. Or even my maternal grandparents who live in rural Kentucky and how much I loved visiting their horses and walking around the historic cemetery down the street from them. I shared very different but very equally entertaining experiences with both sets of my grandparents.

What I find extremely profound is seeing both sets of my grandparents interact. I realized through them the importance of unity in a family. My grandparents never fought or argued over one or the other seeing me and my sister more and never kept score. When both of them are around for various events and celebrations there is never awkward tension, my family feels whole.

I learned through my maternal grandparents the importance of southern hospitality and good homemade meals served with iced tea. Through my paternal grandparents, the importance of compassion and faith, but also an inherited stubborn side. I could go on and on about how much I have learned from my grandparents throughout the years, but I will say that despite the differences on both sides of my grandparents, I feel as though through my relationships with both of them I have become a more well-rounded woman.

Without my grandparents being so instrumental in my life and especially in my childhood, I do not think I would be the person I am today. Whether your grandparents are examples of what to do or what not to do, I feel as though our grandparents are not given enough credit for their impact on our lives.