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All in the Family
Celebrating Our Grandparents BY TARA MENDANHA
Grandparents. They love unconditionally and pamper endlessly. Ramona Nelson, aka “Coco” from Placerville There’s nothing like a warm hug from Grandma, adventures with Grandpa, and precious time spent in their company. My own This big-hearted, spoil-em-rotten grandma 20-month-old can’t wait to see her Mimi, Gampi, Gran, and Gramps has an eight-year-old grandson and fourevery day. Unfortunately, they live abroad so she has to settle for a month-old granddaughter. “My grandson is the joy of my life…I always feel his love for video chat. If you’re lucky enough to have a grandparent, cherish me,” she shares. “He asked me one day, ‘Why them. After all, as someone once said: “Grandparents make the world do you always say ‘of course’ when I ask you if I can have something or do something?’ I told a little softer, a little kinder, and a little warmer.” Happy Grandparents’ him it’s my job as a grandmother to say yes!” Day (September 13) to the ones below and all the others out there!
What does it mean to be a grandparent today? Grandparents are an integral part of raising a family, with so many types of family structures existing today. My husband and I have a trusting relationship with the boys, and they talk to us about everything. We guide them through difficult events because we want to help them make good decisions. What are the perks of the job? The best part is all the fun things we get to do with the kids. Our home is a getaway from their normal lives. Has the pandemic affected your relationship with your grandchildren? COVID-19 put a damper on the extracurricular activities we normally do during the summer. What is your hope for future generations? Do you have any words of wisdom for them? My hope is that they will be humanitarians and utilize their God-given talents to make this world a better place. I encourage them to value themselves for how God made them and do things to the best of their ability.
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| SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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What does it mean to be a grandparent today? Our world is different today, because of technology. We can easily see each other, talk any time, and text “goodnight.” My “grandmothering” isn’t much different than my mother’s. The world can’t alter the unconditional love of a grandma! What are the perks of the job? It’s a magical job. The love and acceptance from my grandson are gifts. When I’m making dinner or folding laundry and a little voice says: “Coco, I love you,” [that’s the best part] of the day! Has the pandemic affected your relationship with your grandchildren? I can’t take them to places I would have before. We spend a lot of time together and limit our time out in public. Life is simple again—we work in our garden, play games, and have sleepovers. It’s good to slow down and enjoy each other. What is your hope for future generations? Do you have any words of wisdom for them? I hope parents teach their children to honor nature’s gifts. I hope every young person has the opportunity to further their education. Know that family and friends are more important than money. Always be true to yourself. Never judge yourself by how others see you but only by how you see yourself. Always follow your dreams. Don’t accept “no” for an answer.
All photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.
Owners of Sutter Street Taqueria, Paul and Rosario have good food and good company readily available for their three grandbabies. Antonio (14) is an old soul who enjoys having deep conversations about life; Leo (10) is high-energy and always ready for a good time; and Stefano (8) is a non-verbal autistic boy with a good understanding of the world. “Antonio was born on Christmas,” shares Rosario. “When he was young, Paul Hayes and Rosario Rodriguez, aka I let him know that if he called “Papa Paul” and “Mama Chayo” from Folsom me “Grandma,” he would get one combined gift for Christmas and his birthday, but if he called me “Mama Chayo” (nickname for Rosario), he’d get separate gifts. To this day, none of the three boys have ever called me “Grandma!”
She describes her granddaughter as being a bundle of pure love. “I look forward to getting to know her as she grows.”
