Dear Mom and Dad,
As Grandparents Day approaches, it has occurred to me that I haven't always taken the time to honor you on your special day; in fact I'm often too busy running here and there to even let you know how much I appreciate everything you do for my four rambunctious and often mischievous children every day. Children who in your own words are, "little angels". Before you say they are Grandma and Grandpa's "little angels", let me ask you what kind of angels hide plastic lizards in Grandma's cabinets to scare the heck out of her when she reaches for a towel or a can of beans to use for dinner? I swear, I don't know how you do it; after just a few hours with the little munchkins, I'm exhausted and I'm only half your age!
Yet, day after day, you watch your grand-kids while I work, picking the older ones up from school, taking them to soccer practice and dance lessons, helping with homework, changing diapers, telling stories and imparting important life lessons. You guys do it all, and at the end of the day still have time to give me advice when I need it, or just lend a sympathetic ear.
There hasn't been a time when you weren't there for the kids; just as you were there for the first moment of my life, so have you been for the first moments of theirs. Things like that first home run, lost tooth, honor roll award and dance solo were made more special because Grandma and Grandpa were there to share in the joy of the moment. It hasn't all been good times though. When the oldest of your grandchildren was diagnosed with autism, you were there to help with therapies, attend IEPs and offer a shoulder to cry on. Caring for an autistic child is difficult at best but you never hesitated to jump right in and help.
Mom and Dad, I know that when you retired you were both looking forward to cruising the high seas for weeks at a time, meeting new people and seeing places you'd never been. Instead you gave up those senior cruises and golf dates with friends to make sure you were home for skinned knees, tea parties and lots and lots of hugs. For all that and more, I just want to say thank you for being the best grandparents ever and I hope that when my turn to be called grandma comes I live up to your shining example of what a grandparent should be. I love you! Happy Grandparent's Day!
