NANA’S HOUSE by Teresa Kindred
How do you want to be remembered as a grandparent?
You may have pondered that question from time to time, and here at the start of a new year I believe it’s an important exercise.
What I have in mind are not the typical resolutions that some people make. I usually don’t take resolutions very seriously. They usually concern money, weight, or some other aspect of our health, and they’re usually abandoned after a few weeks at most. Sure, there are some people who use resolutions to make lasting, positive changes in their habits and their lives, but they are the outliers.
I prefer to make New Year’s promises.
Some people think promises aren’t worth taking seriously either, that they’re just made to be broken. I couldn’t disagree more. A man or woman’s word should be as good as a signed contract. If I promise you something, I am going to do my best to make it happen.
And so, with that in mind, this new year I am making four promises having to do with my grandchildren. They are promises to myself because I know I am in the fourth quarter of my life, and I want my grandchildren to remember certain things about me.
1. I want them to see me with my nose in a book.
My mother was a big reader and taught reading at our local elementary school. It never ceases to amaze me how many of her former students still remember her influence on their reading skills. Mom died 35 years ago, and her love of reading lives on through her former students and her children. I want my grandchildren to have a love of reading. I buy books for them and love reading to them. Their parents read to them, too. I especially want them to see Poppa and me reading the Bible and I want them to know that the Bible is the source of our hope and faith.
2. I want to continue promoting family time.
After Christmas we spent 3 days at a cabin on the lake. It rained much of the time, but we were all together. We enjoyed playing games and watching the two youngest grandchildren put on a show—singing, dancing and acting silly. My only regret was that not everyone could attend, due to illness and one son and daughter-in-law living in California. But we still had a house full of love!
3. I want to do better about spending one-on-one time with my older grandchildren.
They are busy and so am I, but the only way to grow a relationship is by spending time together. Even if it’s a quick lunch or a snack together after a ball game I want to do more one-on-one time.
4. I want my gift giving to be more intentional.
This Christmas I gave my two older granddaughters mustard seed necklaces. I included a note about why I wanted them to know the importance of faith the size of a mustard seed, and I told them how proud I was of them and the decisions they have made. (Here’s more about those necklaces.) I want to give more gifts like that in the future—truly meaningful gifts that also reveal what’s important to me. It’s one way of passing on my heritage.
New Year’s promises matter more.
Today’s society may not place as much value on a promise as previous generations, but I know several people who still do and I’m one of them. Memories are important, and when I leave this earth I want my grandchildren to know that they are my legacy and that my love and God’s love will be with them all the days of their lives.
Teresa Kindred is a freelance writer, former teacher, and author of several books, including The Faith-Filled Grandmother. She’s the mom of five grown children and “Nana” to seven precious grandchildren. She and her husband live in Kentucky. Her blog for grandparents is at NanaHood.com.
