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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Grandparents Day

We're not sure where this metal art was on street exhibit, but, grandkids certainly looked smaller by comparison. These photos came in celebration of  National Grandparents Day, which was marked earlier this month.


Since we had forgotten the date, I decided to learn more about this largely U.S. celebration. However, Grandparents Day is recognized in other countries on various days of the year, either as one holiday or sometimes as a separate Grandmother's and/or Grandfather's Day.

National Grandparents Day (NGD) has several origins in the U.S. and most often is attributed to the efforts of Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade of West Virginia. Throughout the 1970s, she worked to educate people about the contributions of seniors and urged people to adopt a grandparent, not only for a day or for gift-giving, but for a lifetime of experience. As a child, McQuade had visited her grandmother's 130-acre WV farm and recalled how she  would walk to visit elderly in the area after a day's work. NGD was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 and it was first observed on Sunday, Sept 9, 1979, the first Sunday in Sept after Labor Day.

What's a holiday without a flower or even a song — NGD has both.

The official National Grandparents Day flower is oddly the “forget-me-not” flower which blooms not in late summer, but in the spring. There's also an official song: A Song for Grandma and Grandpa by Johnny Prill, also a grandparent. Prill volunteered at a nursing home where his grandmother resided. (Yes, there's an official website where you can hear it performed, but I've mercifully left out that link. If you go there, you will thank me for this omission.)
Just so you, and we, will know — in 2015, Grandparents Day  will be celebrated on Sunday, Sept 13. The date changes yearly as it is tied to Labor Day, but it's never earlier than Sept 7 or later than Sept 13.

15 comments:

Country Gal said...

I did not know this info ! Thanks for sharing . I think it is a wonderful thing as I never got to know my grandparent cause they were far away in England and back then one did not travel as easily as the do now ! Thanks for sharing . cute photos ! Have a good day !

Out on the prairie said...

I missed it, need to watch that calendar closer.

MadSnapper said...

i love the giraffe and the moose,

Doris said...

Aidan knew when Grandparents Day was or we would have missed it. I suppose they talked about it in school. Nice info you posted about the day!

Anonymous said...

My grandkids are coming here this Friday. Always a treat to see them.

NCmountainwoman said...

I love the metal art. And the adorable grands.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Looks like Ellie and Bobby are close. That's so sweet. Hope it lasts forever like it did -and still does- for my brother and me.
I forget about GP day every year and so do out kids. Oh well!

Emma Springfield said...

Metal Sculptures are so fascinating. I cannot fathom where peoples minds conjure these wonderful ways to create art.

William Kendall said...

The kids look happy. I have heard of the day, but not really more of the story behind it.

Anvilcloud said...

We don't celebrate this day. Grandparent recognition becomes part of Mothers Day and Fathers Day.

Connie said...

I love the metal sculptures and your grandkids are so cute! Forget-me-not seems a very appropriate flower for the holiday.

Anonymous said...

What a great day! We should have it over here too!

Have a great day!
Chriuster.

diane b said...

Cute grandchildren and I hope you had a happy Grandparents Day. We don't have it here but i think it a good idea.

DeniseinVA said...

Great photos of those sweet Grands of yours and interesting history of Grandparents Day.

possum said...

I WANT THAT MOOSE!

That is soooooo cool!

Now all I need is a little time - I've got a couple sheets of good heavy copper, lets see what else do I need.....