Location: Originally from the Home of the only 6 times Super Bowl Champs!
Posts: 12,099
Grandparents Day - Sept 9, 2007
This day has a threefold purpose:
**To honor grandparents
**To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children.
**To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
Grandparents Day
First Sunday After Labor Day
In 1970, a West Virginia housewife, Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day just for Grandparents. Through concerted efforts on the part of civic, business, church, and political leaders, this campaign expanded statewide. Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) was especially instrumental in the project. The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973 in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore. Also in 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a Grandparents Day resolution in the United States Senate. The resolution languished in committee.
Mrs. McQuade and her team turned to the media to garner support. They also began contacting governors, senators, congressmen in every state. And they sent letters to churches, businesses, and numerous national organizations interested in senior citizens. In 1978, five years after its West Virginia inception, the United StatesCongress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter. (September was chosen for the holiday, to signify the "autumn years" of life.)
Today this event, begun by only a few, is observed by millions throughout the United States.
Facts About The Founder of Grandparents Day
A native of Fayette County, Marian McQuade and her husband Joe are the parents of 15 children. They have 40 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
Mrs. McQuade began a campaign in 1970 to set aside a day for grandparents; yet her work with senior citizens dates back to 1956, beginning with the Past Eighty Party, (originated by Jim Comstock, editor of the West Virginia Hillbilly). Mrs. McQuade has worked in several states with seniors. Iin 1971, she was elected Vice-Chairman of the West Virginia Committee on Aging and appointed as delegate to the White House Conference on Aging by Governor Arch A. Moore.
In 1972, Mrs. McQuade's efforts helped persuade President Richard Nixon to proclaim a National Shut-in Day.
Having served as President of the Vocational Rehabilitation Foundation, Vice-President of the West Virginia Health Systems Agency, appointed to the Nursing Home Licensing Board and having served as Co-chairman for the Bi-Centennial Centenarian Search for the West Virginia Commission on Aging, Mrs. McQuade has dedicated her life to advocating for senior citizens--pprticularly the most elderly.
Due to my age don't have any G-Parents left but they are angels watching over me and others. I called my Paternal g-mom Moma guess a take off from hearing my parents call her Mom. My Maternal g-mom died when my Mom was only 2 weeks so we never knew her. My Paternal g-dad died when I was 11 months so did not really know him but called Mom's Dad Grand Daddy and lost him when I was 14. Loved them both dearly and always called and sent a card to them for their day. My grands call me Granny as they did with my Mom and they called their Dad's Mom Grandma Pete. Both were loved very much and missed still. Have no idea what Steven will do for that day. Sept 9th was Grandma Pete's b'day so will be thinking of her especially on that day.
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Thought for the Day If you didn't start your day with a smile, its not too late to start practicing for tomorrow.~~~God Bless All
I called my mom's mom "Nanny". She died when I was 11. I was just getting to know her really well. She taught me how to crochet and I would go and have lunch with her every Friday since my elementary school was only a few blocks from her apartment. I called my dad's mom "Grandmom". Unfortunately, I had no relationship with her. She was an alcoholic and then she had a brain tumor and was paralyzed and couldn't talk. My mother would take me to the nursing home to visit her about once a month, but I mostly dreaded it. Both grandfathers died before I was born.
My DD's have gotten a raw deal as far as grandparents go. Neither my parents or DH's parents make any attempts to have a relationship with them. In my parents' case, my dad was an alcoholic and my mother just struggled to deal with all of that. DH's parents are so wrapped up in her sister's life that there's no room for anyone else. They even live with her and her two sons.
All I know is that when my turn comes to become a grandmom I plan to do it up right!
Location: Originally from the Home of the only 6 times Super Bowl Champs!
Posts: 12,099
Patti, you will have twice the reasons on that day for special thoughts.
At our house, Grandparents day is spent on the phone with Grandma (my Mom).
We've made up a box to send to her full of things that we think will be special to her: 2 little bear figurines...one is a little girl with a big ruffly hat and one is a cowboy. She collects bears so one is my daughter and the other my son. My kids made Pearler bead kids for her, too. My son made a Steelers boy and my daughter made a little girl to look like her. My DD colored some special pictures for her. My Son bought her a magnet for her car that has his school name on it. I'm also slipping in some recipes that I have come across over the past couple of months that I thought that she might like.....clippings from magazines, recipes from freebies that I get in the mail....etc. And then there's a small bouquet of heart shaped flower lollipops. All stuff that we would normally give to her in person for no special reason other than to show her that we love her. They are going to make cards for her, too.
I'm getting teary-eyed as I write this. I get so emotional when I talked about stuff like this. I miss living close to my Mom. I miss having my kids and her spend time together. We were hoping to bring her to visit us this year but financially, we just can't do it now. I miss my Dad. He passed away almost 5 yrs. ago. He didn't get to meet my daughter. Both of my kids have some of his facial features. I know that he still watches over us.
On Grandparent's Day, hug your parents and grandparents. Tell them how much you love them. Don't regret not doing it more often later on.
Location: Originally from the Home of the only 6 times Super Bowl Champs!
Posts: 12,099
Kathy, I'm sorry to hear that your kids' grandparents are missing out on a once in a lifetime chance of knowing unconditional love from their grandkids.
When I lived in Pa., I lived close to both my sister and my mother. For some reason, my sister always felt that she had to make it a competition as to how much time my Mom spent with my kids and her kids. She would insist that more of the attention was put on her kids. She needed to be the center of attention at every family gathering.
Since we have moved to NC, she hasn't stopped. She tries to make it so that my Mom has no other room in her life for anyone but her and her kids. It was hard for me to learn to accept some of the moves that she pulled since I am no longer there to put an end to it. Now, I just focus on my Mother and let my sister think that she has the upper hand--whatever that may be.
I am sure that you will be a wonderful Grandma whenever the time comes.
I am looking for some fun ideas for Grandparents Day. Any ideas for gifts that kids can make for their grandparents? I'm looking for both grandma and grandpa
My kids made Pearler bead kids for her, too. My son made a Steelers boy and my daughter made a little girl to look like her. My DD colored some special pictures for her. My Son bought her a magnet for her car that has his school name on it. I'm also slipping in some recipes that I have come across over the past couple of months that I thought that she might like.....clippings from magazines, recipes from freebies that I get in the mail....etc. And then there's a small bouquet of heart shaped flower lollipops. All stuff that we would normally give to her in person for no special reason other than to show her that we love her. They are going to make cards for her, too. 
She tries to make it so that my Mom has no other room in her life for anyone but her and her kids. It was hard for me to learn to accept some of the moves that she pulled since I am no longer there to put an end to it. Now, I just focus on my Mother and let my sister think that she has the upper hand--whatever that may be. 
