As a grandparent, I am already beginning to see the end of the school year. It actually started last month. First came spring break. As the children have a week off, our Charlotte family uses this opportunity to take a wonderful trip. After deciding where in the world their destination will be, my daughter researches places and activities that will be fun as well as educational for their children. This year, they chose to go to London. It was a wonderful trip, and they had a great time. Our other families stayed closer to home taking some day trips and not having a set schedule. Sleeping in, going swimming and to the beach were also on the agenda.
School calendars have definitely changed since I was a child. I don’t recall ever having a week off in spring. We had the odd day off for a teacher workday, and we always had Good Friday off. Other than those, school was in until June 15th. In looking at my calendar, I realized that the month of May contained a number of events involving our grandchildren. To me, they heralded the winding down of the school year.
Soon after spring break comes a visit to two schools celebrating grandparents. This is followed by our youngest granddaughter’s ballet recital, then off to Charlotte for our grandson’s eighth grade middle school graduation. Then, we go to the move up ceremony for our fifth grader grandson moving on to middle school. Suddenly, schools are out and summer vacation begins for all seven of them.
I realize as I am writing this in April, some of these events are still more than a couple of months away. I also know that time will pass quickly. All of our fabulous grandchildren will rejoice that school is out and they won’t have to rise early. Some will go away to camp, some will attend sport camps, they’ll go to visit their other grandparents, go out on their boat and fish, and a number of things that will make the days pass far too quickly.
Before they’ve even fully adjusted to their summer fun schedule, August has raced in and sees them all back in school. Our eldest grandchild will be starting her senior year in high school (how is that even possible?) and applying to college. She has enjoyed traveling to many colleges on her list of possibilities. I will be excited when she chooses which one she will attend and when she starts this new adventure, but I will miss not being able to see her every time I go to Charlotte. This is the start, although several years before the last one leaves the nest, of my precious grands making their way out into the world.
As I age, months seem to fly by. I can’t change this, so I treasure my time with each of them and love seeing how they’re growing and maturing. They know that, as long as I am able, I will be there for all the major events in their lives. If it’s important to them, it’s important to me. Family time is absolutely my favorite time – I like to think that it keeps me young, maybe not in looks, but in my heart. My grandchildren are being raised to always do their best, be kind and respectful, ask if anyone needs help and be strong in their faith. They know they are loved and well cared for.
It is a pleasure to be around them. Are they always perfect? No, they’re children. However, with age comes the ability to resolve most situations peacefully and successfully.
As I finish this article, my daughter informed me of a couple of dates I need to add to my calendar. Yes, May is here, June is coming up fast, schools are out and summer is upon us! I can’t wait to see what it has in store! Whatever it does, as long as I can spend some time with my wonderful families, it will be a great one!
