Wednesday, September 10, 2003

1 day not enough to celebrate our grandparents and all they do

By JENNIFER GAYNOR

[Editor's note: Grandparents Day was Sept. 7, although the occasion was listed on only one of four calendars in the editor's office.]

It's hard to forget Mother's or Father's Day: Grocery store card aisles resemble a war zone, flowers or ties are in high demand, and ads depict parents awed with diamonds or power tools. However, Grandparents Day has been cast into the same holiday discard pile as Flag Day and Labor Day. Except, because school is still in session, no one even remembers it.

Well, maybe we should.

When the Olympics came to town in 1996, I suddenly decided I was going to become an Olympian swimmer (a bit of a stretch for someone who still can't make two laps without gasping for air). I rushed to my mom with the news, only to hear, "Oh, everyone wants to be an Olympian when the games are on TV."

Dejected, I trudged to the phone and told my grandparents, who also live in Peachtree City, about my now tentative aspirations. "That's great!" my grandma exclaimed. My grandpa shared her enthusiastic support. "Come over and practice in our pool anytime; we'll say we knew you when!"

Of course, my dreams of being the next gold medallist left with the last Olympic fan; however, I'll never forget my grandparents' blind support of me. They probably knew that my new goal would leave as quickly as it came, but they also knew that I needed their support more than a reality check.

I've been blessed with very supportive parents, but my grandparents top even them. I brushed off my high school baccalaureate, telling my parents and family not to bother coming because it'd be boring and they'd see me at graduation. As I walked up to the church and saw all my friends' families greeting them and posing for pictures, I began to regret my blasé attitude toward the event. Seconds later, I saw my grandparents hurrying toward me, grinning at the sight of their eldest granddaughter in cap and gown. "We know you told us not to come, but we just had to see you!" Tears filled my eyes.

With all they do for us, it's such a travesty that useless holidays like Labor Day get more attention than Grandparents' Day.

When I visited them at their former New York City home, my grandparents would spoil me rotten by taking me to every restaurant, amusement park, zoo, and landmark in sight. Their current house is covered with pictures of us nine grandkids. They never miss a recital, play, game or show unless it's humanly impossible for them to be there.

My grandma is always cutting out and sending me articles that remind her of me. When I was 7 and writing stories by hand for lack of computer, she continually offered me hers. She sat on concrete bleachers for hours so she'd have a good seat for my graduation.

Whenever he sees me, my grandpa sits down with me and engages me in conversation, sincerely wanting to hear my views and catch up with me. He actually volunteers to take my 4-year-old sister and my young cousins for mornings or afternoons simply so he can spend time with his grandchildren. And he doesn't just sit in front of the TV watching golf (OK, well not when he's with one of them). He goes on nature walks, makes Indian costumes out of construction paper, or helps the kids put on an elaborate play.

And all this is in addition to their book clubs, mah-jongg games, church activities, and golf!

Aside from my parents and sisters, my grandparents have most strongly influenced who I am today. (How do they sleep at night?!) I can only hope to aspire to their generosity, youthfulness, community involvement, and most of all, their undying love and support of their family, especially their grandchildren. All dinners and amusement parks aside, they're fantastic people.

So thank you, Ken and Ellie Gaynor, for being what grandparents should be. And thank you, all grandparents, for spoiling, supporting, and loving your grandchildren. Happy Grandparents' Day!

[Peachtree City resident Jennifer Gaynor is a student at the University of Georgia.]