Experiences worth remembering

What do you remember about your grandparents? 

I only had one grandparent, Stella Aucoin. I remember the softness of her skin when she'd put her arms around me, the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed, the smell of apple pie and cleanliness in her house, and the way she patiently waiting for me as we descended the steps of the Toronto subway system. 

Memories fascinate me. We all remember things in different ways. And sometimes I wonder if I really remember something, or I've just heard the story so many times that I've created a memory of it. I've heard my uncle Clifford talk about little Debbie sneaking sips of aunt Anne's special juice, vodka and orange, so many times that I swear I can remember myself as the precocious three year old sitting in the needle point chair in their living room. I can feel the heavy crystal glass in my hand and I'm sure I can taste the "screwdriver". Even if I've adopted these memories as my own, I don't care. I love the way they make me feel. They connect me to my family and the fun times we've had.

It is said that relationships are made or destroyed through an accumulation of the "little things". The feelings you have about any person in your life have most likely developed over time, due to a variety of experiences you've had with him or her. The person you can always count on to help you when you are in a jam, the one who makes you laugh when nothing feels funny, or the one who says "let's get together" but is always too busy.

The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can be special. Grandparents don't have to be the disciplinarians, and often have more free time than parents. They can offer a unique perspective and advice. They can be energized by the burst of youth and joy that grandchildren offer. Together grandparents and grandchildren can create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

No one knows that better than Ann Middleman. 500 miles can't stop this grandma from having a great relationship with her grandchildren. Ann lives in New York and her grandsons live in North Carolina. She says her objective is go give them extraordinary experiences. Ann and her husband have already taken Eli and Jesse to the Great Smokey Mts, Disney World, Broadway shows, museums and plan to take them on a European vacation soon. "Eventually, when we are no longer here," says Ann "I hope they will feel that we made a real difference; that we shared terrific experiences with them; things they'll remember their whole lives." 

I have no doubt that these lucky boys will have extraordinary memories of their grandparents, but it might be for the "little things" as much as the great. Ann and her husband speak to their grandsons on the phone daily. They've become long distance babysitters. Recently Ann started buying two copies of books. She sends one down to the boys in North Carolina and keeps one at home in New York. Now when they call their grandsons they read to them over the phone and the boys follow along with their copy of the book. I'm sure it's memories like this that will fill out a joyful childhood for Eli and Jesse.

How will your memories be kept alive for your grandchildren? Create your Bcelebrated site today and ensure your relationships will be cherished for a lifetime.

If you don't have the kind of relationship that you want to have with your grandkids,what little thing could you do today to start building it?