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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Since 1922 |
Being a grandpa neat deal
By Jim Finley
Contributor Published November 3, 2009 Did you hear about the answer a six-year-old gave when asked where his grandma lived? No? Then allow me to share with you:
“Oh,” the little tyke replied, “she lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”
I bring this noteworthy subject up today for a couple of reasons. Please stay with me, even if you are not, technically, a grandparent.
First and foremost, the U.S. Constitution plainly states – and I’m quoting directly – that “Congress shall make no laws disrespecting the practice of grandparenting, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, as long as ye both shall live, in sickness and in health.” (You can also find a similar provision in the fine print of the Louisiana Purchase.)
Secondly, I received via e-mail a pretty neat deal on grandparents from good buddy Peggy Ellis. Peggy and I grew up together in the old homeplace, and she and her handsome husband, Dan, have grandkids of their own, Shelby and Austin.
Her note was terrific. I wanted to share it with Discerning Readers, because that’s just the kind of guy I am.
I should first remind you that, currently on hand, I have four grandkids – Katie, Reid, Devin, and Falynn (rhymes with gallon) – and two great-babies, Kamille and Connor. (Great-grandchild No. 3, Collin, is being constructed as we speak and is due to be shipped in the spring.)
My babies are the greatest gift I’ve ever received. Far better than my first car, a 1953 baby blue Ford, to which I later added fender skirts.
Now, as an athlete I throw and bat right-handed. But long ago I learned to use either hand when giving my grandbabies money, toys, and unhealthy food. Let’s face it, I’m an ambidextrous grandpa and proud of it.
I learned grandparenting from the best – my own grandparents, Mama and Papa Finley, who lived in Kilgore, and loved me, and spoiled me, and had more influence on me than just about anyone. I loved them so. They were what your top-line college professors (this does not include instructors at Cal-Berkeley) would call “wonderful role models.” Remember those?
Thusly, what I learned long ago from the greatest, I have put into practice for the past 28 years. I’ve done well, I believe. Ask my grandkids.
Anyway, following is Peggy’s findings which focus on how a group of eight-year-olds see their grandparents. See if you spot yourself, providing, of course, you’re a grandparent. (If you’re not, you possibly soon will be):
“Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.”
“A grandfather is a man grandmother.”
“Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run.”
“It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.”
“Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.”
“They wear glasses and funny underwear.”
“They can take their teeth and gums out.”
“Grandparents don’t have to be smart.”
“They have to answer questions like: ‘Why isn’t God married?’ and ‘How come dogs chase cats?’”
“Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have a television, because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us.”
“They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we’ve acted bad.”
Gotta love it!
Grandparenting is a wondrous thing. If you have no grandbabies, you should go out immediately and get a set. Or I have a couple I’ll rent you!
Jim Finley is a retired managing editor for The Baytown Sun.
Contributor Published November 3, 2009 Did you hear about the answer a six-year-old gave when asked where his grandma lived? No? Then allow me to share with you:
“Oh,” the little tyke replied, “she lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”
I bring this noteworthy subject up today for a couple of reasons. Please stay with me, even if you are not, technically, a grandparent.
First and foremost, the U.S. Constitution plainly states – and I’m quoting directly – that “Congress shall make no laws disrespecting the practice of grandparenting, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, as long as ye both shall live, in sickness and in health.” (You can also find a similar provision in the fine print of the Louisiana Purchase.)
Secondly, I received via e-mail a pretty neat deal on grandparents from good buddy Peggy Ellis. Peggy and I grew up together in the old homeplace, and she and her handsome husband, Dan, have grandkids of their own, Shelby and Austin.
Her note was terrific. I wanted to share it with Discerning Readers, because that’s just the kind of guy I am.
I should first remind you that, currently on hand, I have four grandkids – Katie, Reid, Devin, and Falynn (rhymes with gallon) – and two great-babies, Kamille and Connor. (Great-grandchild No. 3, Collin, is being constructed as we speak and is due to be shipped in the spring.)
My babies are the greatest gift I’ve ever received. Far better than my first car, a 1953 baby blue Ford, to which I later added fender skirts.
Now, as an athlete I throw and bat right-handed. But long ago I learned to use either hand when giving my grandbabies money, toys, and unhealthy food. Let’s face it, I’m an ambidextrous grandpa and proud of it.
I learned grandparenting from the best – my own grandparents, Mama and Papa Finley, who lived in Kilgore, and loved me, and spoiled me, and had more influence on me than just about anyone. I loved them so. They were what your top-line college professors (this does not include instructors at Cal-Berkeley) would call “wonderful role models.” Remember those?
Thusly, what I learned long ago from the greatest, I have put into practice for the past 28 years. I’ve done well, I believe. Ask my grandkids.
Anyway, following is Peggy’s findings which focus on how a group of eight-year-olds see their grandparents. See if you spot yourself, providing, of course, you’re a grandparent. (If you’re not, you possibly soon will be):
“Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.”
“A grandfather is a man grandmother.”
“Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run.”
“It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.”
“Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.”
“They wear glasses and funny underwear.”
“They can take their teeth and gums out.”
“Grandparents don’t have to be smart.”
“They have to answer questions like: ‘Why isn’t God married?’ and ‘How come dogs chase cats?’”
“Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have a television, because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us.”
“They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we’ve acted bad.”
Gotta love it!
Grandparenting is a wondrous thing. If you have no grandbabies, you should go out immediately and get a set. Or I have a couple I’ll rent you!
Jim Finley is a retired managing editor for The Baytown Sun.