About Us
The Inspiration for the
Grandparents Hall of Fame
Long before the idea of the “The Grandparents Hall of Fame” ever entered my mind, life’s events were planting seeds for this project. As a child, I never knew my grandparents, but I heard stories about them. As a young adult, I stumbled across a picture of me and my siblings with my paternal grandfather. Just seeing that picture I felt loved and wondered what he would have taught me and the stories he would have shared.
It was not until many years later when I became a grandparent that I began to understand the power of the special love and pride that grandparents have for their grandchildren. We desire to be a positive influence on our grandchildren – to build them up with love and encouragement to help them navigate life’s challenges. What’s more amazing is that most grandparents feel the same way about their grandchildren.
My Story
Anyone who knows me would definitely say “He is NOT a touchy-touchy, feely-feely kind of guy; UNLESS he is talking about his grandchildren”. I am a numbers and logic type of guy. Why such a big contrast?… Well, it’s simple. My grandchildren mean everything to me! Making them laugh and feel loved adds meaning and joy to my own life.
My oldest daughter lived out of state when my first granddaughter was born. To help her adjust to motherhood and give her time to recover, the grandparents agreed to stagger our visits. I went the second week she was home from the hospital.
After a week of feeding and changing my granddaughter, watching her move her little hands and feet, make funny faces and feel the bliss of her sleeping in my arms, I was smitten. I decided then and there that if there were such a place as the “Grandparents Hall of Fame” I was going to be so good at grandparenting, that I would be a first round inductee. And worse yet, I shared that thought with all the other grandparents and the competition was on.
Over the years, I pronounced how far ahead I was in the balloting. All but one pretended not to care, but I know secretly that they did.
We were fortunate that our granddaughter used to spend 4-6 weeks with us each summer while she was growing up. Each summer I prepared a new surprise for her visit (a dollhouse, biking, a playhouse, swimming, skating, games, trips, etc.). She looked forward to her visits and we created memories to last a lifetime. When we asked that granddaughter what she wanted as a high school graduation gift, her wish was to bring her childhood friend to visit Texas and experience a “Grandpa Bush vacation”. Man, talk about a home run!
My Wife’s Story
Some grandparents are actually raising their grandchildren because of unfortunate family circumstances. It’s not how they had planned to spend their golden years, but they have placed the welfare of their grandchildren above their own comfort and plans. It happens more than we care to think. If you know someone doing that, they are the real/true Super Heroes in this world.
My wife was raised by her grandmother until the age of 13. When my wife was only 8, her grandmother lost her sight. But she continued to care for her granddaughter teaching her how to cook, pay bills, etc. She cultivated in her confidence and independence.
Such nurturing love from a grandparent deserves to be recognized.
For those of you lucky enough to have known your grandparents, we hope you will share your personal story of how they had a positive influence on your life and your families. This site hopes to capture the contribution of grandparents from all walks of life, backgrounds, class, religions and education. They will each be recognized for what they have in common – that they have had a profound effect on future generations because they displayed extraordinary love toward their grandchildren.
We Want to Hear Your Story!
For those of you lucky enough to have known your grandparents, we hope you will share your personal story of how they had a positive influence on your life and your families.
This site hopes to capture the contribution of grandparents from all walks of life, backgrounds, class, religions and education.
They will each be recognized for what they have in common – that they have had a profound effect on future generations because they displayed extraordinary love toward their grandchildren.
YOUR LOVED ONE DESERVES TO BE HERE
What Customers Are Saying
“It was a beatiful experience to sit down and reminisce about the time I spent with my grandparents as a child.
Now that I am an adult I see more and more everything that my GPs taught me. Those lessons are forever imprinted in me.
Thank you for this space to honor and love them.”
“The moment that I saw “Grandparents Hall of Fame” I knew that I had to submit my grandpa in it. No one deserves it more than him.
He absolutely loved this amazing surprise! Best birthday gift ever!
I’m so glad I found this before any of the other grandchildren. I’m KNOW for sure I’m his favorite now”
“Unfortunately my Meemaw is no longer with us but teachings and the mark of her love will always remain in our hearts.
Writing her bio brought back so many memories. This is priceless.
Wish I would have done it sooner but I know she is watching from us heaven and she sure is proud”