| (A tribute in honor of national grandparents' day): | | | | instance, could bake homemade biscuits that would |
| "God couldn't be everywhere so he created | | | | make your mouth water. And her Creole cooking was |
| grandmothers." | | | | legendary! |
| Alicia Keys. Jamie Foxx. Will Smith. What do they all | | | | My grandpa, Oday, died before I was born, but he left |
| have in common? | | | | as an inheritance many beautiful memories through my |
| Besides careers of fame and fortune, each publicly | | | | mom, which serve as his legacy to us. He was known |
| acknowledges their undying love and reverence for | | | | for being a great prankster, which he passed on to my |
| their grandmothers, while largely crediting them for their | | | | mom, who has a wonderful sense of humor and |
| mega-success. | | | | playful spirit! |
| In fact, Jamie Foxx, in his musical tribute, does a | | | | He also instilled in her a great sense of who she was. |
| serenade to his grandma "Estelle" that brings | | | | Even after moving to the big city, and raising five kids, |
| audiences everywhere to tears, as he closes his eyes | | | | she went back to college, got two degrees, and |
| and wishes she were here. | | | | graduated with honors. She always stressed the |
| Will Smith confesses that it was his grandmother that | | | | importance of education, and she led by example. |
| convinced him not to "sell out" by resorting to the | | | | And, on a personal note, she's the reason I became a |
| typical vulgar language that many hip-hop artists spew | | | | writer. For this I give my eternal thanks! |
| in order to make a quick buck. She told him that he | | | | Who among us can't recall how dear our grandparents |
| was "smarter than that." | | | | have been in words and deeds, in crucial stages of our |
| And who can forget Bill Withers, who in a popular tune | | | | lives? |
| decades ago, recalled how "grandma's hands went to | | | | This year, whether it's your first occasion to celebrate |
| church on Sunday morning." | | | | National Grandparents day, or it's a regular routine, here |
| There's no doubt about it. Grandparents are the | | | | are some things to do on this special day! |
| backbones of many families, particularly Black | | | | Attend a church service together and give thanks for |
| families;making great sacrifice to help us raise our own | | | | the beautiful gift that they are. If yours are deceased, |
| kids-- providing support, wisdom, and valuable life | | | | attend church and give them homage in prayer. |
| lessons. | | | | Prepare a dinner in their honor, or fire up the grill and |
| In fact, because so many young mothers have now | | | | get the family together, with cake, ice cream and all! |
| been lost to the streets, and have created a culture of | | | | Buy them roses, candy, or a small gift that relates to a |
| "babies raising babies", more and more grandparents | | | | hobby or interest they have. |
| are actually serving as custodial parents. The Census | | | | Visit the zoo together. |
| Bureau reports the numbers to be several million to | | | | Take a fishing trip or host a Bingo night. |
| date. | | | | Pull out the photo album and stroll down memory lane |
| Grandparents. | | | | together. |
| They spoil us. They fight our battles. They keep us on | | | | If you're located in a different city, give them a call and |
| the straight and narrow. They protect us. They keep | | | | send your love and good wishes! |
| our secrets. They dry our tears. They give us roots | | | | Do their chores for one day. Or relieve them of |
| and wings. | | | | babysitting duties. |
| There is no way that we as a people or as a society | | | | Have all the grandkids throw a talent show in their |
| can ever repay the great debt owed them. Their | | | | honor. |
| impact on our lives has been so significant, that in 1978 | | | | Write a special poem of love. |
| Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation establishing the | | | | Dedicate a song through your local radio station. |
| first Sunday after Labor Day, (this year it's honored | | | | Purchase one of the many greeting cards on the |
| September 13th) as National Grandparent's Day. | | | | market, and tuck a few dollars in the envelope for a |
| So, I humbly dedicate this piece to them! | | | | new church hat. |
| If you are blessed enough to still have yours among | | | | Give them a copy of this article, signed with a personal |
| the living, cherish them! Unfortunately, mine passed | | | | message. |
| away some years ago. But their presence remains | | | | Whatever you choose to do to show your love, make |
| with me even today. My grandmother, Melia, for | | | | sure you do it in "grand" style! They deserve it! |