While Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are important dates for grandparents across the world, Grandparents Day is the day to honor these very special people. If you’re lucky enough to have grandparents still alive, Grandparents Day is on September 13 this year and is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, honor and uplift them while showing them how much they mean to you.
“It should come as no surprise that we have many grandparents living at Heritage Pointe,” says Mike Silverman, Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Pointe, a senior living community offering exceptional lifestyles in the Jewish tradition. “Our mission at Heritage Pointe is to honor our community of mothers and fathers – and grandmothers and grandfathers – as Jewish tradition teaches us. We embrace the opportunity to celebrate what our elders have given to us and the knowledge they have passed along during their years. It is because of them we are who we are.”
If you have grandparents in your life, here are some ways to honor them in a grand way this September 13.
1. Create a “brag book.”
What grandparent doesn’t love to show off their grandkids and adult children and tell people stories about their family members? These days, it’s easier than ever to use photos to create a “brag book” that can sit in a place of honor on their coffee table (which makes it easy for them to show it off when their friends come over to visit).
2. Create a “legacy book.”
Another approach is to create a legacy book that shares important family history and is filled with stories about your grandparents. Fill a book with your favorite photos of them, along with stories and favorite memories of times past. Sharing your memories and what they mean to you will be a priceless gift that they will treasure always.
3. Record their stories.
The organization StoryCorps has made a name for itself by encouraging friends and family members to interview each other and share stories of their past. If possible, set up a video chat with your grandparents and have some prompts that will get them sharing their memories and stories. Having these recordings will be priceless to you in the years to come and will be meaningful to your grandparents because it gives a chance to bond with you and share their history.
We recommend downloading the StoryCorps app, which will help you record your grandparents’ stories as well as provide you with potential questions. In addition, the app will upload your finished recording to the Library of Congress, where it will be preserved for future generations.
4. Virtually visit.
More than anything, your grandparents would love to see your smiling face. Scheduling a video chat can be almost as nice as being in the same room with them. Are there any special family
recipes that only your grandparents know how to make? See if they will teach you one of their favorite recipes and share the secret ingredients (shhh … we’ll never tell) during your virtual time together.
5. Create a celebratory video.
Your words carry a lot of meaning to grandparents. Reach out to other family members and ask them to send you a short video clip where they’re sharing a favorite memory of your grandparents or telling them how much they mean. When you combine all the stories, you can add photos, music, captions or anything else that you think might make the video even more meaningful. Then, play it for your grandparents (and don’t forget to give them a copy in a way they can enjoy, whether that’s a DVD or through email).
6. Keep their memory alive.
If your grandparents are no longer living, there are still many meaningful ways to honor them. Spend a day doing their favorite activities, or cook their favorite foods and enjoy a meal with other family members (don’t forget to share stories about your grandparents while you’re enjoying the food). If you have items of theirs, you can create a memory shadow box with a photo as well as a personal item that has meaning to you. By keeping their memory alive, we honor them for the generations to come.
ROOTED IN JEWISH TRADITION & CULTURE.
Founded more than 30 years ago, Heritage Pointe provides the highest quality assisted living and memory care services to seniors in Orange County. Welcoming to those of all faiths, Heritage Pointe is Orange County’s only community rooted in Jewish culture, tradition and values.
For those who need some level of support to live their best lives, Heritage Pointe inspires independence and wellness through an extraordinary lifestyle, high-quality care, and rich traditions. It’s a trusted, joyful community offering a lifestyle filled with possibilities – wherever a Resident may be on their senior living journey.
Our one-of-a-kind, nonprofit community is open to people of all backgrounds and faiths. Our mission is focused on our Residents and their independence, health, safety, comfort and happiness. Heritage Pointe has deep roots in this community and is committed to providing Residents with the best possible lifestyle and care both now and well into the future.