Today is the day to celebrate those people who are there for us in all walks of our lives. The people who serve not only as grandparents, but as our teachers, caregivers, friends, and confidants. They guide us with their never-ending wisdom and provide us their stories from generations past. Today, is National Grandparents Day!

According to the United States Census Bureau: “In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation, declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This day has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation’s grandparents.” Thanks to President Carter, there is now a day dedicated to our grandparents, and rightfully so. We celebrate Mothers Day and Fathers Day, why should we not celebrate our grandparents as well?

The grandparents role, in today’s time, has become more than just the occasional spoiling of their grandkids. Statistics show that 7 millions children under the age of 18 were living with their grandparents in 2011, and 2.7 million grandparents were responsible for the basic needs of at least on of their grandchildren.

President Obama released a proclamation on September 6 and stated: “I call upon all Americans to take the time to honor their own grandparents and those in their community.” For those of us who are lucky enough to still have our grandparents here with us today, we should take this time to honor and celebrate the joy that our grandparents have contributed and are still contributing to our lives.

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