28. Thank you, Dad!

It is the time of year, for me, of reflection and giving thanks. I have the privilege of having a dear father, age 102, who is also grandfather of my children, and great-grandfather of my grandchildren! This is the letter I sent to my “pop” this week:

Dear Pop, I have decided to let the people in my life know how much I cherish them. You get to be first! I recently pinpointed on a map all the places I’ve lived, and you were a supportive caring constant in my life all the while I was growing up.

– I cherish the memories of our visits to the farm, with cousins and animals and visits to the school your dad helped build, I think, and where our brother’s kids attended,

– my first school experience (kindergarten, where I waited and waited for the teacher to come visit, not knowing she wasn’t coming until the following week!),
 
– sneaking my cat into bed in Ann Arbor,
 
– and even that fateful climb up the steps to apologize to the neighbor in the upstairs apartment for eating her delicious canned peaches–that I couldn’t wait to show you when you came home that day!
 
– The cards and letters with X’s and O’s when you were away in the Army, Continue reading

22. Grandchildren: Encouraging Civic Involvement, Informed Voting

GW, TN, writes: Now that the election is over, I am wishing that I could have given my grandchild, who is now of voting age, a better understanding of the importance of civic duty, including why it is important to be informed of the issues and then voting. How might I do that now for the future? (My son and his wife don’t always agree on politics, so I don’t want to get in the middle.)

Contributing positively to society, including participation in political decision making, is important for a healthy world we live in, and it also enriches us. The phrase “enlightened self interest” comes to mind. 

 I would begin with conversation Continue reading

18. Showing the grandkids where we came from and how we got here: Perspectives from history

Historical places are all around us, and we can bring the struggles and sacrifices, successes and failures, motivations and values, to life for our grandchildren. Today’s children could use a larger perspective of life, looking beyond their immediate lives, and an appreciation of the contributions of those who came before us. In spite of Garrison Keeler’s wise reminder to us older folks to stop whining about having to walk miles to school in snowstorms, or similar stories we may have, because  the kids aren’t interested (New York Times, don’t remember the date!), they can be engaged in experiences Continue reading