Grandparent’s Day

Did you know that today is Grandparent’s Day?

Unfortunately, all of my grandparents have passed away, but they left me with many happy memories.

The history of families, like anything else, defines ourselves, our legacy, and molds our lives.

When I was 11 years old, my younger sister and I spent a week at my grandparent’s house.

The interrelationships between parent, child, grandparent, spouse, and mate are part of the human condition.

But I digress.

My grandparents lived their entire lives in Toledo, Ohio, and decided to retire to a modest home with a large yard with a view of the Maumee River. An enduring memory I have is that my grandfather gave me the responsibility of driving the lawn mower for their home. As an 11 year old, the mower was huge and very large intimidating piece of machinery.

Their house was nestled in a grassy area surrounded by woods, with about 3 acres of grass. Notwithstanding my trepidation and insecurity, I successfully mowed the largest lawn I’d ever seen!

At the end of the week, my grandparents paid me $25.00 for all the work I did. My younger sister received $10.00. Remember, this was 1969, when $25.00 was a lot of money, especially for an 11 year old.

Of course she was jealous as siblings can be, but I told her, “I had to mow the whole yard.”

Actually, it would have been better if I had mowed some of that lawn by hand, and better for my grandparents, too.

The Journal of the American Medical Association concludes that exercise for seniors can help their memories.

Physical activity provided a modest improvement in cognition over an 18-month follow-up period.

So, on this Grandparent’s Day, why don’t you take a relaxing walk with your Grandmother, or maybe you can do some yard work with your Grandfather, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

© Iowa Avenue

Photo courtesy of freeparking