Dear Editor,
I hear someone calling me, “Grandpa, where are you?” My heart starts beating faster. I hear them again, “Can you help us?”
I’m alert now; I call on my old bones to once again lift me out of my old chair; my Grandchildren need my help; I can’t get to them fast enough. As I stumble into the kitchen, I am greeted by the faces of my Grandchildren, surrounded by their school books and papers. Here comes that feeling again; it can only be caused by my Grandchildren. I can’t stop smiling, and yup, my eyes are watering again because I know they are my second chance in this lifetime. I’m so proud I just might explode. “GRANDPA”!!!!
Oh shoot, I’m daydreaming again. We are having trouble with history. Can you remember stuff, they ask? I drop into a chair, and together, we sift through the memories of a lifetime, three-quarters complete now, memories that I hope help them understand that “stuff” they are looking for. I’m not alone in my local community; most of my generation here are Grandpas tempered by Grandmas. All of us hanging on to these opportunities to provide our Grandchildren with a source of affection, encouragement, and understanding as they face the challenges, and triumphs of school. Oh, by the way, Grandma says your old friend George called yesterday to remind you that the local school staff are bringing the children to our town’s Homestead senior living center for a visit tomorrow.
This feeling infects our entire community, like when two of us old codgers got together at our local school to show the children how to make apple cider. Two Grandpas sharing a smile because the children were so excited, drinking the cider as fast as we made it!
Grandpas getting together to build strong and positive connections with their local schools centered around their roles in supporting their Grandchildren, and their communities. Who would have known that sharing lifetime experiences and knowledge, that sparks curiosity would be so much fun.
The results are obvious: when an event takes place at the school, I have to get there early because I won’t find a parking place. Grandpas and Grandmas understand the importance of quality education and are motivated to support their local schools as a vital community institution. Grandpas’ fondness for local schools stems from their desire to support their grandchildren’s development, contribute to their well-being in their community, and build meaningful connections across generations. I don’t have the words to adequately describe a Grandpa’s pain should this connection be broken. Vermont H.454 is expected to change how schools are funded and managed, impacting how grandparents can support their local schools. The bill will reduce community engagement and the connection to local schools. This would mean fewer opportunities for grandparents to participate in school activities, volunteer, and advocate for their local schools, brushing away us old Grandpas as nothing more than an unintended consequence. Forgiveness won’t come easy this time.
Jay Denault-Franklin; Paul Normandeau-Dummerston; Bruce Maclean-Peacham; David Schoales-Brattleboro
