I think grandparents are the BEST. Those who have known me long might say I am biased because I had wonderful maternal grandparents who helped rear me. Their influence is still seen in my life today. My friends describe me as generous and fiercely loyal; they can thank my grandmother for these qualities.
I am a business owner today because my grandfather told me I could be one. My grandfather was a WWII veteran, but he was ahead of his time regarding issues concerning women's rights. Lest I dared to think he was only giving lip service to the cause; he had no reservations about soliciting my help to install brakes, a carburetor, or some other part on a car in his repair shop after his limbs became weak.
I would say to those who have known me for a long time that I am not biased regarding my deep appreciation of grandparents. Biases are based on subjective beliefs. However, as an adoption attorney, I’ve witnessed first-hand over and over how grandparents and great-grandparents become full-time parents to their grandchildren when their parenting days should be over.
Many children have been rescued from the foster care system by their grandparents through the adoption process. Some grandparents have chosen to become adoptive parents to their grandchildren when the primary caregiving parent has abandoned the grandchild, is incarcerated, unfit to parent, or has passed away because of an illness, a drug overdose, or some other cause.
Some grandparents forgo the adoption route and choose to parent their grandchildren full-time by becoming legal guardians or by obtaining legal custody of their grandchildren. These legal processes can also save a child from the foster care system.
So, to all those grandparents who have stood up and showed up to become full-time parents to their grandchildren, whatever the reason and the way, I salute you. This year Grandparent’s Day will be observed on the 8th of September. Maybe we should have a Grandparent Month.
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