Tag Archives: National Grandparents Day

September 8, 2013 · 3:21 pm

GrandParents Day: In The Beginning

Grandparents are don’t just drop from the sky, there is always a starting point…Our family started in 1938…

Stuart and Annabel MacLellan Circa late 1970’s

Dad was from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: Mom grew up in the 9th Ward in New Orléans, Louisiana which was devastated by hurricane Katrina. My memory of New Orléans is from my Grandmothers home on Gentilly Blvd close to the historic Fairgrounds Park.

Prince Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Gentilly Blvd New Orléans by the Fairgrounds

My parent’s met in St. Louis in 1938 and soon started a family and settled in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri!

St. Louis Gateway Arch

Bungalow in Brentwood, MO

From Stuart and Annabel, six children were born!

Jimmy, JoAnn, Merrille, Chris, Gerri, Mary. Due to Age restrictions from ‘some’ of my sisters, the pecking order is out of sink in this picture!

Stuart and Annabel have long made their transition to eternal life, Annabel in 1984 and Stuart in 1987. What they started from six, grew into 24 grandchildren and now over 40 great-grandchildren. Because of their poor health, they did not have the opportunity to enjoy their grandchildren as much as they would have liked, not to mention their great-grandchildren which came long after their life.

Adding Sissy’s husband George; Chris’ partner Richard; Jimmy’s wife Pat.

At times I don’t even know myself or even who you are. Happy, sad, mad, glad. Yet good friends to the end. We grew up together, under the same roof. Fighting and screaming. I escaped by daydreaming. 5 individuals then there were 6. I was scared, were you? I didn’t know which way to go. I wanted to be noticed, I wanted to be seen, all I could do was dream…dream of living with Mother Dear. I just wanted someone to tuck me in. If I wasn’t so hard on myself I’d probably be thin.

My defects of character number a few, and when I start thinking of them I feel blue. Have your dreams come true? Have you done all you wanted to do? By the way my favorite color is blue. We were all set free, to drift alone to find our way. Some never came back home to stay, we’ve done the best we can, even with the cards dealt in our hand. We’ve all had our ups and downs, but always land with both feet on the ground.

Everyone should be proud and say it out loud! Our kids have grown up in spite of our faults, hopefully we didn’t fall short. They’ll know we tried our best and they will too. I will give myself credit and so should you. Your kids are great and mine are too! We’re all getting older, we’re in the prime of our lives.

Everyday is a new adventure and I’m very grateful I’m not wearing dentures. Don’t forget to take time to smell the roses. I’m still younger and that’s how it goes, or until Chris opposes.

A call or a visit is good medicine too! And another reminder, I younger than you! Mary MacLellan Stough

CNN Anchor Campbell Brown talks parenting and “No Bull, No Bias” | Babble (babble.com)
7 Reasons to Visit PEI in September (econolodgepei.com)
Grandparents with Grandchildren: New Trend for Dude Ranches (prweb.com)
A foggy road to Charlottetown… (tagonsummerbreak2013.wordpress.com)
8 Ways That Grandparents Really Rock! (aarp.org)
National Grandparent’s Day (bishopadams.com)
New Orleans (urplsc366erkulwater.wordpress.com)
LGBT Grandparents- Day (thepurplejacket.com)
Grandparents Help Kids Survive Divorce (judithconte.wordpress.com)
Grand Advice: Helping Your Grandchildren Set Their Best Savings Goals (ally.com)

Grandparents Day Poems by Meo!

Grandparents Poems from my Sister, Mary MacLellan Stough

Mary MacLellan Stough

Granddaughters

God has created all things big and small and in His great wisdom He created Granddaughters best of all! (Grandsons too!)

Pinks, purples, ruffles and all the times you get lots of snuggled. You sing, you dance together and you realize life could not be better.

Sparkling eyes, cute little noses, kisses from head to toes. Kayla with those big brown eyes.

Alyssa sometimes can be shy. Her eyes are as blue as the sky. You make me swell with pride. I love it best when you are by my side.

You both stole my heart the first time we met. I was so happy I’m sure I wept. Although we are separated by miles, I think of you often (Gavin too) and I smile.

Sleepover’s at my house have been few and far between but I hope you will be seen sleeping on my canopy bed just like it use to be.

I miss our times together and treasure the times we are together. But you know I love you but know I love you forever.

We have this special bond and always will.

Hearing from you is always a thrill. I love you every minute of the day not just on Grandparents Day.

Hugs and kisses to both of you and Gavin too. Love the New Nana from me to you. Mary MacLellan-Stough

Grandmotherhood: To babies you and new

To their moms who are young too. The greatness of birth, the joy of life, that first kiss and the goosebumps you get. Our kids are ours to have and to hold, to love and to cherish…that is a natural thing. But grandkids are beyond anything. As far as they are concerned, grandparents are the greatest thing!

You can sing off-key, you can bounce them on your knee. Did you ever believe what a joy they could be. They look at us with wonder and as us “why” then they ponder.

You do sing-a-longs and skip-a-longs, you blow bubbles and listen to their troubles. But nothing could be better to hear…”Can we go to the park.” or” Nana, I’m so afraid of the dark..” “Nana, when are you off work?” “I love you, Nana.”

The thunder rumbles and makes their hearts tremble. If feels good to make them feel better. Thank you God for my precious gifts. Send your angels to guide and protect them, and their parents too because, without them none of this would be true. Mary MacLellan Stough –

Mary MacLellan-Stough

National Grandparent’s Day (bishopadams.com)
LGBT grandparents Day (thepurplejacket.com)
Today is Grandparents Day + Quotes and Love Advice (hismrshermr.com)
Free Grandparents Day Card printable (forthemommas.com)
United Methodist Homes to Celebrate Their 19th Annual Walk on September 8 (prweb.com)
Happy Grandparents Day (mindofmonique.wordpress.com)
Complimentary Companion Service for the Elderly Offered as Promotion for National Grandparents Day (prweb.com)
SUMMER DAYS – The Blessing of Grandparents (sharonshoaf.wordpress.com)

LGBT Grandparents- Day

The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year Grandparents day falls on Sunday September 8th. Being the youngest of six, and an ‘oops baby at that,’ I did not have the opportunity to meet 3 of my 4 grandparents, yet I was able to learn about them through stories from my parents and siblings. It is a part of my heritage that I have always wondered about and sadly missed.

While I am the F.U. a.k.a. Favorite Uncle (that line always gets a laugh) to 26 nieces and nephews, I have been able to vicariously find a way learn about grandparents, and what is means to be a grandparent, through a new group which was started in Fort Lauderdale, FL., The LGBT Grandparents group. The LGBT Grandparents group is one born of a partnership between Sun Serve, Women in Network, SAGE, Women with Pride and The Pride Center. It serves as a gathering place for LGBT grandparents to share stories, network and find support in a relaxed, non-structured setting. On of the great joys I have experience since I have been on staff at Sun Serve Social Services has been to be apart of the planning committee for LGBT Grandparents group which started in early 2013.

LGBT Grandparents Groups 9/7/2013

Attending the gatherings has been a wonderful experience because I get to listen to so many beautiful and heart wrenching stories about families, about relationships, about love, about joy, and about sorrow. As I sit and listen attentively to these stories, I can relate the stories that my siblings tell through their experience with their kids and grandkids. You see, no matter what side of the fence you are on, relationships are human; their complicated, their stressful, and they are beautiful in their own right. But the one thing that I have learned while participating in this group is that grandchildren are often the glue that keeps families together, while keeping hope alive. It reminds me of that line…”If I had known grandchildren would be so much fun, I would have had them first!”

Bill & Bob: Together 30 years and have 5 grandchildren

Sure, LGBT grandparents face different struggles as it relates to their relationship with their kids, with their (ex) spouses, especially when it comes to the revelation of coming out of the closet later in life. But don’t all couples face different and difficult issues in a relationship…It’s about being human! Being a part of the LGBT grandparents has proven to be remarkable because I get to watch in person, the similarity between people and their relationships. There are no orientation boundaries. The love that each member has for their grandchildren is truly remarkable. When people have to opportunity to share their story with others, it immediately provides a sense of security and an understanding that ‘I’m not alone!‘ Sharing photos of grandchildren is a universal practice!

Denise & June: Together 20 years 7 Grandchildren with 1 on the way!

While societal norms are changing, we have to remember that today’s LGBT seniors grew up, and worked out of a system in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s etc., that was not as accepting as it is today. Have a group like our LGBT Grandparents group, allows people to come together, to in a sense, come out of the closet again to find comfort, to find joy, to find similarity in a world that has not always been accepting to them. On this Grandparents day, reach out to your grandparents and tell them that you love them. And if your Grandparents happen to be Gay or Lesbian, give them an extra hug and thank them for being brave. It’s never too late to reach out and be a part of someone’s life!