Grandparents Day Reflections: From Juicy Fruit to Chicken ‘n Dumplins

There’s something about Grandparents Day that tugs at my heart just a little more each year. Maybe it’s the way a certain scent can take me back in time — the sweet, unmistakable smell of Juicy Fruit gum, or the warm steam rising from a pot of chicken and dumplins simmering on the stove. Maybe it’s the memory of crocheting on the front porch, or the sunburned joy of fishing under the big Texas sky, where the heat stuck to your skin but the laughter was light.

I miss my grandparents — every single day. They were the kind of people who didn’t just show up, they stayed. Who didn’t just feed your belly, but nourished your soul. They taught lessons without lectures — lessons wrapped in quiet consistency, strong coffee, and gentle hands. Lessons about hard work, kindness, faith, patience, and love.

I carry them with me still — in how I stir the pot, in how I listen to a story, in how I welcome people into my home.

Now, as a grandmother myself, I think about the legacy I’m leaving. My greatest hope? That my grandchildren grow up knowing — without a shadow of a doubt — that they are deeply loved. That they feel special every time they walk through my door. That they’ll remember the hugs, the silly moments, the stories told over pancakes, and the way I always made space for them.

I want to be the kind of grandparent they’ll tell stories about someday — stories full of joy, comfort, and connection. Because the greatest gift we can give the next generation isn’t stuff… it’s presence.

So here’s to all the grandparents — those who raised us, those we miss, and those becoming someone’s favorite memory right now.

Happy Grandparents Day 💛
May we love well, laugh often, and leave a legacy that lasts.