YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN UNPAID CARERS
I watched them on the ferry: a grandma, grandad and a couple of young boys aged around 6 and 3. The youngest wanted to sit on one side of the boat, the eldest on the other and the grandad plonked himself down, clearly exhausted by his day as tour guide. Poor grandma had to chivvy both boys to sit together and tried to distract them by pointing out the big cruise ship in the harbour.
Much has been made of the role grandparents have played these school holidays and stories abound of how they’re being taken advantage of by their dual income children. There is no question they’ve worked overtime in the past few weeks as parents have returned to work. We don’t thank these unsung heroes enough so here goes …
We appreciate you more than you will ever know not just for the safety and care you provide our children but for your patience and love. We see the quiet way you go about teaching our children the same manners and life skills that you taught us so long ago.
We know that you’ll point out the jacarandas when they’re in bloom and make lamingtons from scratch and do puzzles and teach our children how to choose a ripe pineapple in the supermarket. And in doing so part of you will always be in our children.
We know that time is love and so every minute you spend with our child we know they are building a relationship with you which gives them another person who is on their side and understands them.
We may forget to say it but we admire the unique way you help our children overcome challenges. The way you put five lollies in a jar to represent the five days we’re away so they can count down until we come back; the stories you tell them about your life so their own may be richer.
We also appreciate that you grow with them, keeping in touch via Facebook Messenger or text as they grow and stride out into the world.
Thank you. Our children are so much more for having you in their lives.