A Grand Day!
I am getting ready to celebrate one of my favorite holidays: Grandparents Day! Yes, it really is a holiday. In fact, President Jimmy Carter signed it into law in 1978. Although it is called Grandparents Day, the originator Marian McQuade wanted to designate a day for families to visit their elderly relatives. Therefore, I think it should be a day to celebrate all the special adults in our lives. Since it is Grandparents Day though, I decided what better way to honor my awesome grandparents than sharing them with all of you.
I treasure my grandparents. I only have two because my Dad’s parents passed away before I was born, but I hear they were amazing. I call my Mom’s parents Omee and Papa and don’t get to see them as often as I would like because they live almost 10 hours away in Augusta, Georgia. That’s why I cherish every moment when I do see them. Some of my friends dread going to visit their grandparents, but I don’t! I am counting down right now to my next visit with Omee and Papa.
Silly things seem to happen when I am with my grandparents. For example, during one of my summer trips to Georgia it was so hot it snowed. Well not exactly, let me explain. On that particular day, the temperature was a scorching 108°. Papa decided snow was the only way to cool things off. Next thing I knew, we were in the front yard with a giant inflatable snowman. Then, Omee came out with a full bag of cotton balls. It wasn’t long before we were having a snowball fight! Cars were passing by with people giving us strange looks and sometimes laughing. I didn’t care and they didn’t care. We were having a great time making memories and that’s all that mattered. Naturally, we were all laughing that day until we were about to cry so we forgot all about the heat. I could go on and on about the fun we’ve had but I’d need a book to write all that down!
My grandparents were instrumental (pun intended) in helping me become a musician. You see, they were the ones who bought me my first guitar at age three, my first violin at age four, and a microphone stand at age eight when I said, “Real singers have to have a mic stand.” Omee and Papa did more than just buy instruments to encourage me. After they gave me the mic stand, they set up their back porch as my stage and had the rest of my relatives sit in the yard and watch my concert. When I was cast in my first musical with Charlotte Players as a Wolfette in The Big Bad Musical, they drove here to see me on stage! After the musical, Omee gave me a huge bouquet of flowers and Papa gave me a king sized Kit Kat bar. Which one do you think I enjoyed more? Just kidding, I liked both presents! Most of all, I was grateful for their support and to have them with me.
Papa brags on me like a proud Papa. Omee brags on me a lot too. Their approval means the world to me. Since they brag on me and all my cousins, I feel it’s only fair to brag on them a little. Omee is a great cook and makes the best potato salad. One of my cousins suggested selling it on ebay. Seriously, it’s that delicious! Papa on the other hand, can fix anything. I’m sure he would deny it, but I’m convinced there is nothing he can’t repair. My grandparents are absolutely worth bragging about.
It’s clear to see, I have been blessed with two fantastic grandparents, but I want to also acknowledge some special adults in my life. They aren’t related in any way, but they have all shown me a tremendous amount of kindness, encouragement and love. Thank you, Carol, Sonny, Laurie and Sande, I love you and wish you all a Grand Day!
As I said, I believe Grandparents Day should be a day to recognize all the special adults in our lives. I hope you all will take the time this Sunday, September 8th to say, “I love you” to your grandparents, no excuses! If you don’t have grandparents, find someone who doesn’t have grandkids and adopt them as your grandparents. Not only will they feel happier but you will too and everyone wins! Happy Grandparents Day to all of the extraordinary grandparents. I’m sending a hug to all of you. Thanks for being awesome!
Savannah Brady’s Bio:
15 years old, Savannah has studied violin for nine years and guitar for almost two years. Her violin teacher is Cynthia Wiley and her guitar teacher is Jimi Gee. She has attended several Suzuki Violin workshops and Sarasota Youth Orchestra’s Summer with the Symphony programs. Savannah enjoys playing music and tries to take advantage of every opportunity to perform. She has played violin with the North Port Symphony Orchestra, performed in Ladies Sing the Blues, and is a member of the Jimi Gee Jr. All-Stars. Savannah’s most recent accomplishment was receiving her third gold cup for earning superior scores at the district festival through the Florida Federation of Music Clubs. You can find Savannah playing and singing around the community at various venues.