On a much more positive and fun note, not only was yesterday the 59th anniversary of the Detroit Riots, yesterday was also National Gorgeous Grandma Day. Alice Solomon created this day in 1984.
“Alice Solomon re-entered the working world after her graduation from Wellesley College cum laude at the age of fifty. Alice held the titles of Mrs. Massachusetts and Mrs. U.S. Savings Bonds for Massachusetts, and her family was selected the Massachusetts All-American Family, encompassing representation of both the U.S. Treasury Dept. and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”1 Today, Alice works hard to put a positive, upbeat spin on aging.
Grandmas are getting younger every day! My grandma was always “old” but probably not as old as I assumed. I still picture her gardening, canning, and cooking in these old dresses with an apron tied around her waist. She was arthritic and not very agile. There are stories from her younger days of this daring, adventurous, and mischievous girl but I never could figure out what happened to that person. I never got to see that side of her.
Today’s grandmas seem to be wired differently. They tend to be active, fun, feisty, and full of life. Many still fit the mold of the traditional grandma who bakes, sews, quilts, and does all the home-making projects we’ve stereotypically come to expect. However, they seem to do it with some flair and pizzaz. They are the gorgeous grandmas. They make us smile, laugh, and feel alive with their energy.
Now, I’m sorry grandpas. To my knowledge, there is no gorgeous grandpa day. Seriously, though, would you really like that? I didn’t think so.
If you are in that “grandma” age bracket (you decide for yourself), you can make an enormous difference in the lives of younger generations. You can either be a gorgeous grandma or a grouchy grandma. You can be a magnet, drawing others who are enticed by your radiance and joy. Or you can repulse others, pushing them away.
Your work is far from over. In fact, it may have just begun.
Remember the affirmation given in Proverbs 16:31. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” Believing grandmas (and grandpas) are of eternal value if they are saved and walking closely with the Lord.
Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Children’s children are grandchildren. Do you value those grandchildren?
Have you noticed those individuals that other children are eager to adopt as their grandparents? Do you ever wonder what it is that they’ve got that draws others to them? There are probably several answers to this question but one answer found in Psalm 145:4 must always be the case. May we make certain that this is true for each of us.
“One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”
1https://ggalice.wordpress.com/2006/10/08/hello-world/
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