Bill and Harrio Sherman with granddaughters Emma, left, and Abby.
Never trust anyone who says they like growing old. As the cliche says, they’ll lie about other things too.
But for my wife and I, getting older held one unexpected blessing: grandkids.
One of the great mysteries of life, and joys of growing older, is that inexplicable bond between kids and their grandparents.
One wise grandfather gave a lighthearted answer for why his granddaughter is so crazy about him: “I just give her everything she wants.”
My pastor jokingly offers another explanation: kids and their grandparents share a common enemy: the parents.
But the truth, I suspect, is deeper than that.
Grandparents - those fortunate enough not to inherit parenting responsibilities from absent or irresponsible parents – are in the sweet position of being free to offer their grandkids unconditional love and acceptance. It doesn’t take effort or sacrifice. It just comes naturally. You look at those little faces and you just want to hand out that extra piece of cake, or postpone that bedtime.
You know they’re not perfect, and they will need lots of discipline and correction, but you know that doesn’t fall to you. That’s the parents’ job. And so you can love them and enjoy them just the way they are.
That might account, in part at least, for that sweet bond kids share with their grandparents. I’m always amazed at how delighted my grandkids are to show up at our house, and how much they enjoy hanging out with a couple two generations removed from them.
One of my sons once told me he loved watching my mother watch her grandkids, sitting with a quiet, approving smile that expressed perfect acceptance.
And grandkids aren’t the only blessing of the older years.
I just can’t remember any others right now.
Bill's previous blog entries:
Aug. 23: Grandpas are made for fishingAug. 2: Yearning for the good old daysJuly 26: Should we now feel guilty about going to Batman?July 18: Rocky Mountain highJuly 11: Making memories in the gardenJune 27: Preemies challenge parents and grandparents
