Stories

I became a first-time grandparent in January, and it was quite an emotional experience. When my son told me his wife was pregnant, I was very happy for them. I knew they were going to make great parents.  Soon after, though, I realized this meant I had officially entered OPT (old person territory). I mean, come on. A grandparent? Me?

But a couple of days after the birth, an unexpected and overwhelming feeling took hold and has not left. I did not feel old anymore. I felt renewed, like my life was granted an added purpose and vitality. I began to appreciate the deeply generative act that being a grandparent is and can be. And while being a parent myself was (most of the time) an enormously gratifying and energizing experience, being a grandparent promises to be even better.

I know the day-to-day reality of parenting children is a job for the young. And it feels like grandparenting is a job for the young at heart. When both parents and grandparents are aligned in their love and support for children and are respectful of each other’s roles, children truly benefit. Children need the immediacy and intensity of their relationship with parents and the parallel loving embrace and mentorship of grandparents or other invested and engaged adults.  

Tomorrow is grandparents and special friends’ day. This will be the first time since 2019 that we have been able to have this event on campus, which will make it even more special. And for the first time I will look out over the sea of grandparents and think, wow, I’m one of you – and when did you all start looking so young and vital?