Celebrating Grandparents’ Day

Written by Holly Stupak

Whether your name is Grandmom, Mom-mom, Nana; Pop-pop, Gramps or Nonno, there is no denying that in the eyes of your grandchildren, you are simply the best! Though most grandkids would say that every day should be Grandparents’ Day, we pause to officially celebrate you on Sunday September 12th.

The idea for Grandparents’ Day began back in September 1969, when nine-year-old Russell Capper sent a letter to President Nixon, asking for a day to be set aside to celebrate grandparents. Russell did receive a letter back from the President’s office, thanking him for his suggestion. But Russell was told that it could not be done unless a Congressional resolution authorized the President to make it official.

Then, in the early 1970s, a woman from West Virginia named Marian McQuade started a campaign to officially dedicate a day for our beloved grandparents. She worked tirelessly with governors, senators and members of Congress to ultimately have congress pass the legislation and have President Jimmy Carter proclaim National Grandparents’ Day an official holiday. The first Grandparents’ Day was celebrated in September 1979, ten years to the month after Russell Capper’s letter.

Mary and Jim Weldon with their four grandchildren

Photo courtesy of Mary Weldon

To honor and recognize the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren, we asked some of our Marple Friends & Neighbors about their experiences, memories, traditions and unique connections they share.

Broomall resident June Eicholz, also affectionately known by her grandkids as “Mah Mah,” said she is blessed to live only a few blocks away from her two grandchildren who are seven and three. “They bring me tremendous joy!” she said. June started a tradition with her grandchildren called “Camp Mah Mah.”

Each week in the summer we pick a day for camp at my house. We always have a theme and sometimes it includes a field trip to a farm, zoo or another fun place. I love to turn it into a lesson and make it educational,” June said. “My grandkids say it’s their favorite day of the week!

Mary and Jim Weldon’s four grandchildren live in Bucks County and love coming here to spend time with Pop and Grammy. “My grandkids love coming to Broomall,” said Mary. “When they’re here we take advantage of everything our town has to offer like the Marple Library and all of the wonderful parks. And, they love the pizza here, too! Whenever they’re visiting it’s a little adventure. It’s such a blessing to spend time with them.”

No matter the physical distance between grandparents and their grandchildren, there are many ways to celebrate this month. Today’s technology makes communicating face-to-face a simple reality. Grandparents can share stories about what life was like when growing up, their hopes, dreams and family history. Grandkids can learn from their grandparents’ wisdom and experiences and share their own stories, accomplishments and plans for the future.

June Eicholz with her two grandchildren

Photo courtesy of June Eicholz

Grandparents’ Day doesn’t have to be limited to blood relatives either. One of Marian McQuade’s goals in creating this holiday was encouraging younger generations to “adopt” a grandparent in their community or local nursing home. She stressed that the benefits are mutual: Building solid relationships boosts social connections, helps ward off depression and provides a loving and healthy environment.

Grandparents Day is an opportunity to treasure that connection and spend some quality family time together. Making an effort to spend time together — even if it’s just talking — is often the stuff that future fond memories are made of!