OLD IS GOLD

 Our Grandparents

     Grandparents are the most understanding and loving people in the world and we can never underestimate their importance and influence on us. Though ideologies and trends may be far apart, our grandparents speak the most common language, the language of ‘love’, and are thus often able to successfully bridge the generation gap between themselves and us.

     Grandparents set examples as they have years of parenting experience. Our system provides us with an umpteen number of courses to develop our skills and knowledge, however, one of the most important callings in life is left to trial and error. Here, none other than our dear grandparents are fully capable of being the guiding star during challenging family situations with years of wisdom to their credit.

     Our grandparents are the foundation of a more secure future,  as parents take off to work and young ones are often looked after by their grandparents. Here’s where culture and tradition have the opportunity to be handed over to younger generations. Apart from that, they usually display tremendous patience while tending to their grandchildren, thus inculcating a loving attitude and mannerisms towards life and other living things at an early age.

     Here are some activities we can do with our grandparents to show our gratitude for what they do for us throughout the year: 

* Listen to interesting stories from their lives. 

* Adopt some of their hobbies and learn from them (cooking, baking, gardening, playing an instrument etc.). 

*Ask them to sing their favourite song and then sing along with them. 

* Go with them to buy some groceries. 

* Help them with family chores. 

* Put on their favourite movie and watch it with them. 

* Gardening together. 

* Star gaze over a cup of coffee. 

* Accompanying them on a walk to the seashore. 

* Play music that they are fond of.

* Take out board games like Scrabble and Ludo.   

    We are moving towards an aging world, and over the next thirty years, our aging population will double. We need to embrace this reality and develop a sensitive attitude towards all the elderly angels around us. 

     Yes, at times circumstances might be demanding, and people can be difficult; however, with a loving, thoughtful and patient heart, we must appreciate all that our grandparents have done for our parents, and us, and reciprocate this affection that has been passed down over the years. Making our world a better place begins at home; let’s make this world a better place to live for our grandparents and elders, too!