At Grandkids Matter, we have received hundreds of comments from adults about their grandparents—especially grandmas. As we look forward to Mother’s Day, we’re using a few of those tributes to honor you, grandmothers.
Many of these are unique and deeply personal, and while they may not apply to you directly, know that your grandchildren will grow up with similar thoughts and memories about you. Their lives will be influenced by your strength, your love, your cooking, your devotion, your prayers, your smile, the things you teach them, and on and on.
Notice, too, that several of these adults describe their grandmas as angels. Along with whatever other meanings that word may carry, it represents a deep emotional and often spiritual connection between grandmas and their grandkids.
Enjoy these, and soak up all the love and appreciation you receive from children and grandchildren this weekend and beyond.
My grandmother lost her husband when he turned fifty-one years old. So young. She cherished her children and established family traditions. The favorite was Thanksgiving. All the children and grandchildren would show up and attend church together. After we ate a big dinner with fried green tomatoes, she would read from the Bible. At every meal she would pray, even when we were in public. Guess when she died? It was Thanksgiving Day, and we were all together.
My grandmother was a saint, and we shared the love of music, stories, and TV.
My grandmother and guardian angel passed away from colon cancer 12 years ago. She was the strongest woman that I know, and I am the woman I am today thanks to her. I came to the States from Portugal when I was 13 years old, and Grandma was responsible for my care. I learned so much from her. She taught me, for instance, how to cook and how to be a great wife and mother of two beautiful kids. I owe her everything. I miss her dearly.
Now, into her late eighties, my grandmother’s mind is failing, and doing certain things she has always done does not come easily, if at all. But the one thing she can still do is pray! Even when her mind is empty of things she should know, she still knows that prayer works. She often asks for prayer, and she still prays for others.
My grandmother was a strong woman and so loving.
My grandmother was the greatest woman ever. An angel in disguise. She never uttered a cross word about anyone. She was also by far, hands-down, the best pancake-maker ever. If I can be just a fraction of the grandma that she was, then I might be OK.
My grandmother Nannie was very loving. She was a hard worker who would give the shirt off her back to someone in need. She never had to work—my grandfather had a great job—but she was always there to lend a hand when we needed her. And she never expected anything in return. She was the most loving woman I have known, and she definitely showed me to never settle for less and to stand up for myself.
Over the years, my grandmother taught me so much that I couldn’t possibly tell it all unless I wrote a full-length book! Social services took me away from my biological parents when I was a young child by and gave my biological grandmother and her late husband custody of me. She helped me along until I finally got out on my own. After her husband died, I visited her often, and she blessed me with an unlimited supply of love—and good Southern cooking. I still love to spend time with her whenever I can. Visitors to my house are amazed to see the abundance of leftovers in my refrigerator. Since I’m a bachelor, they wonder where it all comes from. Little do they know that I have a guardian angel, and she’s the greatest chef in the world.
My grandma was a nurse who taught me to care about life, to serve others, and to become a happy and kindhearted person. I’m convinced grandmas are God’s angels who touch our lives and hearts with their unconditional love.
Grandmas, how would you describe your connection with your grandkids? Share your thoughts and see what else we’re up to on our Facebook page.