Wisdom from Grandparents: It’s the Bees Knees!

Me with my grandmother, “Mammy,” c. 2003-2004

Holly Brantley
September 22, 2017

Best said by Lexie Saige, “Sometimes our grandmas and grandpas are like grand-angels.” Whether it was sneaking you that last cookie or wiping your tears away when you fell off your bike, many people who have been blessed with the presence of grandparents, or grand-friends, know exactly how important their impact is in our lives. Speaking from my own personal experience, the influence that my grandmother, “Mammy,” has had on my life has definitely helped shaped me into the person I am today. Dutifully reading me as many books as I asked and later allowing me to read to her as many books as I wanted, her patience, kindness, and loving character are all traits I’ve come to hold in the highest esteem.

As they’re not bound to the same rules and regulations parents have, for example allowing you to eat ice cream for dinner, grandparents can act more as a friend while simultaneously giving you solid advice (often with a humorous story of their younger years to go along with it). In preparation for the Lower School’s Grandparent’s day celebration, these are what students and teachers at RMA had to say about their grandparents:

Teachers:

Ms. O’Brien

“I lost my last remaining grandparent – my paternal grandmother – about 5 years ago and miss her dearly. This woman raised 6 six children and 14 grandkids and had a quite a life. One thing she used to say all the time about situations turning out ok was, “It all comes out in the wash.” This has always stuck out in my mind when tempted to worry about things in general. Parts of her life were really hard, and I always admired that, after everything, she remained such an optimistic, hopeful person. She truly did believe that things would eventually turn out, for the most part, alright. I try to carry a little bit of her spirit in that way with me and worry a little less about things.”

Ms. Andracchio

“Although I never really knew my own grandparents, I really admired my husband’s grandmother. She always told us to fight nice.”

Ms. Baker

“I’ll never forget the day my brother and I were fighting over a toy John Deer tractor. My grandpa walked around the corner and saw us pushing each other. He took us inside and made us sit in chairs facing each other. He told us that we were not to move and not to say a word, and he left. My brother and I were beyond upset. We had never been in trouble with our grandpa before, so this was new to us. We sat there looking at each other for what seemed to be an eternity (it was at least 30 minutes). I distinctly remember the tears falling down my cheeks, and I vividly remember looking into my brother’s eyes and seeing tears in his as well. When my grandpa finally returned, he was holding two bags full of candy. He handed us the candy and told us that he better never see family members treating each other that way again. My brother and I haven’t fought since that day. He is now my best friend.”

Mr. Tucker

My grandmother ran a country store out in Edgecombe County. She was well-respected and loved by that community. I learned from her that regardless of income or social status, treat everyone the same. She modeled that. She was the type of person who would give you the shirt off of her back. If people were hungry and could not afford to pay for groceries, she gave them what was needed.

High Schoolers: What have your grandparents taught you?

Anna Penwell, 12th: “Take things lightly.”