Sts Joachim, and Ann
Patrons of Grandparents.
Edward Hays
The Old Hermit's Almanac
Forest of Peace Publishing Co.

The names of the parents of Mary of Nazareth appear in a first century source of Christian faith. They are the most renowned grandparents in history, their grandson bring Jesus of Nazareth. Today honors all grandparents who are indeed grand and wonderful second parents; their genetic gifts are part of our DNA inheritance.  Grandparents usually do not have to discipline their grandchildren and do not live with them, and so they are freer to give parental love in that unique way that is sometimes called "spoiling."

Today is also the birthday in 1875 of the famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung. He met and began working with Sigmund Freud in 1907, but by 1912 they had professional disagreements and parted. Grandparents can encourage and support grandchildren when parents fail.  One wonders on this feast of the patronal saints of grandparents, if the great Sigmund Freud was blessed with loving with "grand," grandparents. In 1964 Jakob Freud said of his son Sigmund. "The boy will come of nothing!"

Grandparents are accused of spoiling their grandchildren.  Yet, can any child or adult be spoiled by too much love?   Ask yourself:  What really spoils a child and creates a rotten adult? 

Today is a perfect occasion to remember your grandparents by a telephone call, or visit or by prayer.  If you are a parent, help your children to learn about their grandparents by telling them stories about their grandmas and grandpas so they will be able to understand themselves better. Also, spend some time today, perhaps on the way to work, remembering your grandparents. As you do, see if you can identify their DNA, as well as their spiritual gifts, in you.

Reflection
Here are a couple of quotes related to grandparents and grandchildren
http://www.quotegarden.com/grandparents.html

What a bargain grandchildren are!
I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance.
They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life.
And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani

When a child is born, so are grandmothers. ~Judith Levy