Allusion of Mourning
Doves to Grandparents
Marilyn Nevills in “Letters to the Spec” wrote:
Again our hanging fern provided safe haven, home and nursery for
two mourning doves. Mornings, my husband and I would witness the
young, jostling for space in the nest and vying for food provided by
two very committed parents. As before, one chick very aggressive,
the other meek and constantly being pushed aside in the search for
food and attention. On that magical day of 'flight' with fluttering
wings and posturing, one chick took off...and left the nest! Alas,
has our other chick been abandoned because he cannot fly? Alone for
hours, we watched as mama dove appeared to offer encouragement with
food...for her younger one to make the attempt to fly.
Wonder of wonders...finally to leave the nest...no great distance,
he thought, just to the limb of the tree. And there, together, the
rest of the family, on the branch, with parents providing
encouragement, these little ones...one stronger, one much less
assured, face the day together.
Kind of echoes what is in the hearts of all grandparents
as they watch their own 'empty nest' and remember
how their babies and grandbabies left the nest to fly.
So now, we wait for next year when we can be 'empty nesters'
again!
As the writer of this article about Grandparents, I well relate to
the saga of mourning doves, who for three summers raised their
families, born from two white oval eggs. They flat-nested on my
third floor balcony, selecting the same black wrought-iron chair. One
pair of fledglings was akin to the pair in the above story...one very
ambitious to fly...the other most reticent. Mother persisted with
encouragement!
* * * * * * *
Grandma, arriving home to a disaster asks Grandpa (totally flaked
out in his big easy chair, “Are you alright?” He replies, “NO!
The Grandchildren were here!”
The relationship between a grandchild and grandparent is a very
special one.
Grandparents act as an 'authority figure' to provide unconditional
love...
they get to spoil their grandchildren in a way parents can't.
KIDS
may hate to learn about history in school books and from old photos
and paintings.
SENIOR
citizens,
when growing up, learned the skills of sewing, gardening, baking,
farming, wood-working and perhaps music lessons were given on an old
player-piano.
WISDOM
is
imparted about Life lessons and other advice from grandparents.
FAMILY
HISTORY:
Grandparents may know where all the black and white photos were
taken and who posed for these pictures and can now visualize a
'family
tree'.
HUMOUR:
Teasing is part of 'growing up' when it comes from someone who loves
unconditionally.
LISTENING:
from Grandparents is often more meaningful than heard by parents.
GAMES
of bridge, canasta, pinochle, crocinole and lawn croquet are fun to
learn and play.
EMOTIONAL
SUPPORT:
Children need a sound hand in order to navigate through the teen
years.
DON'T
SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!
Grandparents don't get upset over the little things
.
SNAIL
MAIL:
Don't let the art of letter-writing fade! Set up some 'pen-pal'
time with grandparents ...sending post cards, even...and souvenirs of
their good times together.
GRANDPARENTS
are more 'objective' attending sports' events...children often fail
to succeed when parents over-react with their parental advice and
instruction.
HEALTHY
MODEL:
Grandchildren may wish to pattern the lives of their grandparents.
TRANSMITTING
VALUES
may have a greater impact upon grandchildren than from parents.
PARENTING
SKILLS
should be in sinc with Grandparents in their relationship.
LOVE is the greatest gift one generation can leave to another.
(Richard Garnett)
A Grandparent is a little bit 'parent'.
A Grandparent is a little bit 'teacher'.
A Grandparent is a little bit 'best friend'.
(Author unknown)
Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...September 3, 2016
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