They may be two generations removed from us, but they could not be any closer to us. They’re our grandparents.
The second Sunday each September (this year, September 12) is designated as National Grandparents Day in many countries including Canada. The first formally recognized Grandparents Day actually had difficulty getting off the ground. In 1969, a nine-year-old American boy named Russell Capper wrote a letter to President Richard Nixon, urging him to establish this day of recognition – he was rejected. Only in 1978 did National Grandparents Day become official; President Jimmy Carter was the founder.
The roles of grandparents in our lives are, of course, substantial. These are the people who taught our own parents how to think, learn, and behave. A large portion of Canadian grandparents were born in other countries and have transferred to us their original sets of culture and values. Even in 2021, a good number of grandparents are veterans who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or other campaigns around the globe. These individuals were very much responsible for the freedom we enjoy (and often take for granted) today.
So don’t be shy. This September 12, reach out to your grandparents with a friendly, appreciative message – keeping in mind, they would much rather receive a phone call than an e-mail!
And to show your active support for grandparents, be sure to incorporate these hashtags in your posts online: #GrandparentsDay #SupportWithStrength #NationalGrandparentsDay
Happy Grandparents Day!
