You may have noticed a holiday on your calendar – the Sunday after Labor Day – called Grandparents Day. Do you know why it was started? Do you do anything to honor your grandparents on this day?

Surprisingly, Grandparents Day was not started by floral or greeting card companies. The idea for it started in the late 1950s with a woman in West Virginia named Marian McQuade. She was successful in getting state recognition in 1973 for grandparents and then it became a U.S. holiday in 1978. The first nationwide observance was in 1979 and has steadily grown in popularity ever since. Mrs. McQuade’s story is an interesting one and more can be read about her here.

The purpose of Grandparents Day is “… to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”

My story is similar to many of you – I was blessed to have loving grandparents whom I enjoyed visiting and cherish the memories I have of spending time with them. Now that I am an adult, I have realized that all of the small moments with my grandparents have had a big impact on my life. Here are some of the lessons I learned from them:

Always mind your manners. Take time to travel. (Paternal Grandfather)

I was about 10 years old when my Grandpa Ames started with the “manners lessons” during holiday meals. At the time I thought they were so silly, but I took note of his efforts to help me improve my etiquette. My Grandpa Ames also loved to travel – which earned him the nickname of “globetrotter” from us. I too enjoy traveling and think I got this adventurous spirit from him.

Learn how to DIY (crafting, sewing, painting). Make lists – it will help you to be more organized. (Paternal Grandmother)

During a summer stay with my grandparents, my Grandma Ames taught me how to sew. I remember visiting the fabric shop, selecting the fabric and notions, and making some simple placemats using bias tape. My Grandma Ames was also a list maker and this trait has been passed down to me – if it’s not on the list, it’ll probably not get done!

Be willing to roll up your sleeves and get to work. (Maternal Grandfather)

I didn’t spend as much time with my Grandpa Nelson as my other grandparents because he lived farther away from us. However, we spent enough time together that I learned to have a “can do” spirit from him. He was a woodmaker and a tinkerer and built several toys for me when I was a child. These cherished keepsakes are still in our family and some of them are being played with even today by my niece.

Have a generous spirit. (Maternal Grandmother)

Even though I never met my Grandma Nelson, she passed away the year my parents were married, my mom made sure to pass down lessons from her. I learned to have a generous spirit, like I’ve been told she had, through my mom.

My grandparents are no longer alive, but the lessons they taught, the stories they shared, and the memories I have from time spent with them are part of their legacy that is with me every day.

Question: What are some of the lessons you learned from your grandparents? How have these lessons shaped your life?

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