Grandparents of the year
National Grandparents Day is a national holiday celebrating grandparents and their relationships with their grandchildren. The holiday was initiated by West Virginians, Joseph and Marian McQuade, whose lives were blessed with 15 children, and 43 grandchildren! In 1979, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor
Day as National Grandparents Day. President Carter chose September to symbolize the “autumn” years of life.
There are three purposes for National Grandparents Day:
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to honor grandparents,
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to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and
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to help children become aware and appreciate the strength, wisdom, and guidance grandparents provide.
National Grandparents Day has evolved from the McQuade’s early vision of small gatherings to encompass so much more! This special day gives us a chance to publicly affirm the identity and importance of grandparents and recognize the vital role they play in the family unit. It is a day of giving – giving of self; sharing hopes, dreams, and
values; and setting an example for future generations.