Grandparents Day

TODAY, the Philippines joins many countries of the world in honoring grandparents. Among most Filipino families which are close-knit, elderly members are regarded with respect and reverence. Younger members look up to them as a constant source of wisdom and time-tested values, with dependable and valuable experience.

The history of Grandparents’ Day’s traced to the 1970 initiative of Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia who conceived of the idea of setting aside a day to encourage families to visit their elderly relatives. The day was launched in her home state in 1973. Her cause reached Senators Jennings Randolph and Robert Byrd who formulated a resolution calling for Grandparents’ Day to become a national holiday. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day each year as National Grandparents Day. The month of September was chosen to signify the autumn years of life. Other countries later picked up the celebration, and in the Philippines, the day is observed every second Sunday of September.

In the Philippines, lolos and lolas are vital components of the family structure. They are usually part of the household or are readily available to provide needed attention and care for the younger members, particularly their grandchildren, when the parents need to be away for economic reasons. In a significant number of families, grandparents engage in profitable activities to help augment the household income.

Cognizant of their crucial role in the structure and functioning of Filipino families and households, children and grandchildren should find time to pay them tribute and make them feel extra special and well appreciated – gestures that families would do well to practice throughout the year. Serve them their favorite dish, buy them a gift, treat them to a movie or a musical show, bring them back to places they enjoyed visiting in the past or to places they have been wanting to visit. Let their grandchildren hug them and sit on their laps and make them recount stories of their younger days.

Regardless of how you decide to celebrate Grandparents’ Day, remember that the most valuable and lasting memories need not be expensive. They are entitled to quality time, patient listening, genuine care, and broader understanding that the family members would do well to accord them, not only today, but throughout the year.

To our lolos and lolas out there, have a Happy Grandparents’ Day!