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A Tribute To Grandparents

Since 1978, National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. To acknowledge grandparents, Baltimore Knows spotlights a few of the many grandparents.

The selected grandparents share some of the rewarding and challenging things about being a grandparent and offer some words of wisdom for their grandchildren.

Grandparent: Helen Bronstein
Grandchildren: 7

What is the most rewarding about being a grandparent?
"To see your own children in your in your grandchildren."

What is the most challenging about being a grandparent?
"It's difficult making enough time for all of them."

What are some words of wisdom that you have for your grandchildren?
"I want my grandchildren to know that their mother is always right. They should remember that their mother knows best."

Grandparent: Beatrice Williams Grandchildren: 1 Great-Grandchildren: 3

What is the most rewarding about being a grandparent?
"When my granddaughter was young, it was rewarding to watch her imitate me by dressing-up and putting on my jewelry, hats and shoes. I sometimes look at photographs taken of her and recall. I can't help but smile."

"It's a thrill being a grandparent and even more thrilling being a great-grandparent. We can share our love for one another."

What is the most challenging about being a grandparent?
" I'm not able to see them as often as I'd like. Sometimes I wish they lived across the street from me. Then I'd see them all the time."

What are some words of wisdom that you have for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren?
"Always remember to tell each other you love them. Express your love for one another each day."

Grandparent: Ben Kenny
Grandchildren: 4

What is the most rewarding about being a grandparent?
"The same as being a parent. Being able to be young again vicariously. When you're young, you don't appreciate how good it is."

Does Grandparents Day receive enough attention?
Parents and grandparents should be appreciated all through the year, not just on the one day. I've always appreciated mine."

What are some words of wisdom that you have for your grandchildren?
"The philosopher, Seneca said, 'A great pilot can sail even when his sail> is rent'."

Mr. Kenny allowed us to pint his previously published poem.

Stripes and Spots
By Ben Kenny

Tigers and zebras have stripes on their faces,
On their backs and their sides and all sorts of places,
Leopards have spots, and giraffes have them too,
But lions are plainer—like me and like you!

Grandparents: Dennis & Barbara Cronin
Grandchildren: 1

What is the most rewarding about being a grandparent?
"The love that we share is so rewarding. We enjoy being with him. His favorite color is orange. Watching him identify animals at the zoo."

What is the most challenging about being a grandparent?
"Because he lives in Georgia, we only see him 3 or 4 times a year. This is challenging."

What are some words of wisdom that you have for your grandchildren?
"We want his to know that we love him. His mother is community oriented. I hope that he will also be active in the community."

Grandparent: Joseph G. Monroe
Grandchildren: 2

What is the most rewarding about being a grandparent?
"It's an enjoyable experience being with them. Watching them grow is rewarding. You can enjoy them yet not really be responsible. They can be returned to their parents."

What is the most challenging about being a grandparent?
"Trying to reconcile the way kids are raised today versus the way we were raised. There's a more permissive environment. Children are now allowed to say and do things we never could say or do."

What are some words of wisdom that you have for your grandchildren?
"I encourage them each to grow up and be a man. Show the traits that are lacking in the world today. It is difficult for Black males to grow up in the world today due to the lack of positive role models."

Grandparent: Olita Hall
Grandchildren: 4

What is the most rewarding about being a grandparent?
"You get a chance to start all over again. It's like re-doing mistakes made when rearing your children. It's like getting a second chance."

What is the most challenging about being a grandparent?
My grandchildren live in Philadelphia and I live in Baltimore. It's a challenge developing a relationship with them because they live so far away.

What are some words of wisdom that you have for your grandchildren?
"I want them to remember the quote, 'Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you'."

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