This week, during Catholic Schools Week, we especially honor our grandparents. The love between grandparents and grandchildren is a special relationship, and it is filled with much joy. We are grateful to God for the blessings He bestows on us – God gives children to a family to bless them, and God gives children parents and grandparents who bestow their wisdom and teach them about God and His word.
Although I never knew either of my grandfathers, both of my grandmothers played a very important role in my spiritual development. I remember going to church with my paternal grandmother (Nana), who was the person who taught me how to recite “The Lord’s Prayer” at a very early age. She was a wonderful baker, and I still make her special oatmeal, raisin cookies. My maternal grandmother (Oma) was born in Germany and lived through the horrors of WWII. She eventually moved to the United States, and I only saw her a handful of times before she passed away when I was 13, but I recall her deep faith and devotion. I remember the rosary beads she kept in her pocket and prayed every day. I also remember her long, black, hair – down to the bottom of her back – which she brushed every evening, and then tightly braided and wrapped it in a bun. Even though we could not communicate because she did not speak English and I did not speak German, I knew she cared deeply for me, and I am certain some of the prayers on those rosary beads were for me. I know both of my grandmothers are watching over me and protecting me to this day.
This week, as our students interview their grandparents, we hope they will discover some interesting facts about their loved ones; for example, what was school like when they were a child, who was their best friend, or what was their favorite pastime? We also hope that they keep talking to their grandparents, asking them questions, and going to them for advice. We hope they will pray with and for their grandparents, and recognize how invaluable their grandparents are to them, not only now, but far into the future. That is the best gift a grandparent could ever receive.
Deo Gratias,
Kathy
