Serena and her Grandparents!

The Visit

• Serena loved to spend time with her grandparents. They always had lots of time for her, and everything she did was of interest to them. Serena enjoyed the stories they told her about “how it used to be.” As a result, she was happy to be going to spend a week with her grandparents – even though her teachers had loaded her up with homework for the school time she’d be missing. She knew the time would fly by and she wouldn’t have a chance to get bored. Her grandparents had promised to take her golfing with them at their usual tee time of 8:00 a.m., four days a week.

Grandpa

• Serena knew they golfed early in the morning because Grandpa delivered Meals on Wheels three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), starting at 11:30 a.m. He took a hot meal to five people, mostly seniors, who were unable to cook nutritional meals for themselves. Grandpa picked up the meals in special thermal containers from the local hospital kitchen. Serena enjoyed going with him on his rounds and spending a few minutes with each of the people.

Contribution

• Sometimes Grandpa got her to run down to the end of the block and get the mail or post a letter for the person they were visiting. It made Serena happy to see how pleased each of these individuals was when she returned with their mail. She felt that her grandfather was making a real contribution to their community, and she liked being a small part of it.

The Centre• Two days a week, her grandparents drove people to

the Wheels to Meals program at the local seniors’ centre, where people not only ate, but could also share in conversation with their friends and neighbours. They all seemed to enjoy themselves so much. Her grandparents usually joined in for lunch and a visit. Serena had got to know many people over the years of visiting her grandparents, and these people were always glad to see her and hear about her life. Sometimes they had pictures or stories to share with her about their grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Serena liked to see the pride in their eyes when they told her about special happenings in their families.

Grandma

• After lunch on Tuesday and Thursday, Serena went with her grandmother to work in the little kiosk at the local hospital from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Her Grandma belonged to the local hospital auxiliary, which raised funds for the hospital by operating the little kiosk. They sold tissues, gum, candy, baby gifts like sweaters and toys, crafts, and an assortment of magazines; and they took orders for flowers from the local florist.

Schoolchildren

• Then, on Wednesday, her grandparents went to a local elementary school to read to Grade One and Two students as part of a literacy program. Serena was proud of her grandparents when she saw how warmly they were greeted by the teachers and students. All the students seemed to have a great deal to tell each of them, and everyone wanted to sit up close.

Special Grandma

• A little girl in Grade One asked Serena to come sit by her while Grandma read a story to her class. The little girl whispered to Serena, “She’s my special Grandma, you know. I don’t have a Grandma who lives near her. She told me I could have her for my own local Grandma.” “Do you have a special Grandpa, too?” asked Serena. “Oh yes,” replied the little girl, “but it’s his turn to read to the Grade Twos today. He’ll be here next week. My special grandparents take turns sharing their stories with all of us. Do you have special grandparents too?” Serena nodded to the little girl, who then signaled her to be quiet: Grandma was starting to tell the class a story.

Planting trees

• Grandpa had been telling Serena about the treeplanting project they were involved in - “a sum of money had been donated to the local senior’s association” and they had decided to use it to beautify the town. Some students from the local high school had offered to do the heavy work for them, so in return the seniors were going to plant some of the trees around the school to help improve that area. The rest were going into a small park in the downtown area where locals often gathered to visit in the summertime.

The City

• On Saturday, Serena and her grandparents usually went shopping in the city and attended any arts functions in the community centre. Sunday morning they went to church, arriving early because Grandma sang in the choir. Grandpa often helped welcome people at the door. It was Serena’s job to keep a space in the pew for him to join her just as the service was starting. After the service, she and her grandfather would go downstairs, and she would help Grandma and the other women put out sandwiches and goodies for everyone to share. Then, as they had a cup of coffee or juice, and perhaps a sandwich or two, they would visit with friends and neighbours.

Grandparents

• What terrific, active, involved grandparents she had, Serena thought; and they still found time to go for a two-kilometre walk every evening, care about each other, grow a wonderful garden, and have beautiful flowers bordering their lawn and patio. Seniors can be truly amazing people. Serena wished that some of her friends who didn’t appreciate older people could spend a week with her grandparents so they could witness the many contributions seniors can make to their communities.

Grandparents!