Today, October 2nd, is Grandparents' Day. The day, dedicated to these fundamental figures in the lives of children and grandchildren, always ready to lend a hand or a word of affection, coincides, not surprisingly, with the anniversary of the Holy Guardian Angels. Grandparents, in fact, are angels always ready to dispense care, advice, knowledge and love to the whole family. Grandparents represent an important social and economic point of reference and are also guardians of historical memory. Anyone who still has them by their side is privileged and cannot fail to show them all the gratitude they deserve. However, those who no longer have them cannot help but retain a very sweet memory of them.
The origins of the festival, in Italy and around the world
In Italy, Grandparents' Day was established by law by Parliament in 2005. It was subsequently celebrated in St. Peter's Square by Papa Francesco and by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. In the United States, however, it has existed for 45 years. He proposed it Marian McQuade, a West Virginia housewife, mother of 15 children and grandmother of as many as 40 grandchildren, during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. The woman, in fact, working for years in contact with the elderly, was able to understand the decisive role of grandparents in the education of young people. In 1990 the holiday was introduced in the United Kingdom and subsequently in all other countries. However, this anniversary is not celebrated everywhere on the same day, but on different dates.
An opportunity to be together with the elderly
Grandparents' Day is an opportunity to show our elderly people our gratitude for everything they give us every day in terms of gestures, words, examples, suggestions, time and support. On this day, nursery and primary school children bring letters, poems, drawings or crafts made at school as gifts to their grandparents. After all, very little is enough, even a single hug full of love or a simple flower, to make a grandfather happy and make her eyes shine. Let's not forget, then, that many elderly people live alone or in nursing homes. For them, in particular, the visit of children and grandchildren takes on even greater value.
Initiatives throughout the country
On the occasion of Grandparents' Day, Parliament invites regions, provinces and municipalities to "promote, within their autonomy and respective competences, initiatives to enhance the role of grandparents". Me too'Unicef, today, celebrates this day with various charitable initiatives and events. Furthermore, on the United Nations Children's Fund website you can browse the tribute to grandparents with photos and stories from all over the world.
In favor of grandparents, the "National Grandfather and Grandmother of Italy Award", which the President of the Republic assigns annually to ten grandparents who, during the year, have distinguished themselves for having carried out particularly meritorious actions on a social level, based on a ranking compiled by the specific commission of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and the Ministry of Education, University and Research. There are also various initiatives promoted throughout Italy to allow grandparents and grandchildren to spend pleasant moments who, in some cities, will be able to access museums, castles and archaeological sites by paying a reduced price. Happy Grandparents' Day everyone!
(Photo: Pixabay)
