Grandchildren are precious. But they grow up so fast. Therefore it is important to focus on creating lasting memories of the times we grandparents can spend with them.
I still remember with warm feelings the times my paternal grandfather spent with me. Up to about age 12 I used to sit on his lap and listen to the many stories he invented for me. When I was a teenager we would talk “man to man” on life issues; he always respected what I had to say and made me feel important. I called him Nagypapa (Grandpa in Hungarian) and he was my role model. I still cherish the memories we shared as I was growing up. For example, we used to look after the cows grazing in a woodlot and had great conversations about his earlier life when he was dating my grandmother and about how my father met my mother. I still remember those stories which are now important connections to my family background. Also, I remember the “treats” my grandfather used to hide in the pockets of his jacket. After spending a few hours in the woodlot, a piece of salami with bread and some cold water was a real treat. He made sure that some treats were always hidden in his pockets for me to explore.
Now that I am a grandfather, I pay special attention to creating lasting memories for my grandchildren to cherish after I am gone. The oldest two (Nate 23 years and Tassia 20 years) live in the U.S. and we see each other only a couple of times each year. But when we are together, we spend quality times. Specific activities include games of golf, shopping in the malls and dining out. For example, during last Thanksgiving when I visited them in Madison we went shopping together, then we stopped for lunch. I asked Nate and Tassia to choose the menu in a Mongolian restaurant. While enjoying a delicious meal we exchanged stories on how social media was impacting our lives. Nate is a graduate in journalism but is now actively pursuing a career as a composer of Wartime Blues. He has his own band and they are touring in the U.S. playing the songs that he composed. Tassia is in her final year of college (BA degree) and plans to complete her MA before becoming a teacher. Listening to their dreams and ambitions warmed my heart. I also enjoyed telling them about my love of writing books and shared with them the subject matter of my 4th book “Social Networking for Seniors.”
I see the youngest two grandchildren (Ryan 8 years and Sara 6 and a half years) on a daily bases. They live in Ottawa and I have had the pleasure of being part of their lives from day one. I often pick them up from school (at which times they always ask: Papa have you got a treat) then my wife and I look after them for a couple of hours until our daughter comes by after finishing work. While I am enjoying work very much, I look forward to 4 pm when I am heading out to pick up the grandchildren from school. I often remark to my co-worker as I head out “the exciting part of the day is about to start”. I was on cloud nine the other day when Ryan said to me “When I grow up, I will be just like you Papa; I will work in a big office, go on trips on a plane and pick up my grandchildren from the school”.
So my message to fellow grandparents is: take advantage of the opportunities you have in creating lasting memories for your grandchildren; enjoy the process and let them cherish the times you spent with them after completing your journey here on earth.
Frank Hegyi is author of the book: “Dare to Take the Next Step –Adventures of a Refugee” which is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.ca/Dare-Take-Next-Step-Adventures/dp/0981249507
