The video above is one I acquired from youtube that displays the thought process of grandchildren of all ages when they first think of their grandparents. It shows the importances to them and the artifacts that remind the children of their grandparents.
The grandchild perspective:
For the kids, it is not until they are older that they realize the bigger picture of how important it is to cherish grandparents, if they even ever do. To us, sometimes it is the little things; the teddy bear, the repeated story, the re-occurring dessert they make during family gatherings or any other unique simplicities that grandparents do for their children. The video above conveys that for children the first thing that comes to mind is not why we should cherish grandparents in thirty years from now, but the gifts from when we were little as well as the traditions and stories they give us. We tend to keep these for a very long time if not the rest of our lives. In the video it also shows children explaining how knowledgable grandparents really are. Even small children can reckegnize the wisdom that comes from our elders' histories. I am always most facinated with my grandparents' past, especially their lifestyle back then. |
As a grandchild of three living grandparents, though, the first memories that come to my mind are the small re-occuring stories I hear and the mini treats they give me. Those are the symbols to me that show each of thier personalities and relationships with me. I can carry them with me for the rest of my lifetime.
Grandma Rita: Never once have I walked into my grandparents house without my grandma insisting I eat chocolates she has or bought because she knew I was coming. She knows I love chocolate which of course means everytime I see her she feels she must give me pounds of it. It is the first thing she remebers to do when I walk through the door. Papa Bernie: If there is one thing I know about him, it is that he loves to eat. The first thing that will always come to my mind when thinking of my papa is his love for food and moreover his love for eating food with us! He will, without fail, steel a bite of my dessert every time despite his diabetes. He cannot help but to sneak a spoonful of dessert every time. Grandpa Meyer: Since I was little I have always remebered my grandpas infamous sugar cookies. When we would go see him there would always be the only sugar cookies I've ever liked. He also always hold my hand when I visit him now, he is blind and so feeling is a way to connect. He will always hold it tight and ask if I'm eating. It feels small to him and he wants to confirm I have enough because he did not always when he grew up through a war. |