Just Don’t Wait!
There are things to think about before situations arise that will be heartbreaking
While posting comments on another blog, I came up with these thoughts. This goes both ways for the younger generation with young families to the grandparents who are becoming older.
Talk With Your Grandparent
While you’re establishing this relationship with them, you’ll have certain attachments to things they have that remind you of their relationship with you. Talk about that with them.
Video Taping Your Time Together
If you love baking with Grandmother, tell her how much you love that time with her. Video tape her baking your favorite goodie and have her show how she measures out the items. Many Grandmothers do the ‘a little pinch of this and a handful of that’ measurement. Have her toss that measure of flour or sugar into a measuring cup for your sake! At least you’ll have an idea of what goes into the recipe. Talk to her while you’re video taping and ask her questions while she’s mixing things up. You will treasure this video forever! You could even make copies for Christmas gifts for other relatives as there may be more of you that love her baking.
What Do I Say and How Do I Say That?
When you talk about the great recipes, ask if some day you can have her recipe book or box for your very own. Tell her it would be a treasure to you. Ask her if you could put your name as a label on the book and have her sign the label to okay you receiving it when she’s gone. Be careful how you talk about her ‘being gone’ as it may bother her. As Christians we talk about our “Moving Day” or “Going Home to be with The Lord”. We know we’ll all meet up again when we’re all gone from this earth. Be aware of how your grandparent feels about it before talking about ‘getting their stuff’. You are being advised here not to talk like you just want what they have. You’ll want to talk about the memories, the affection and the meaning of the item to you.
Will You Have Regrets?
Young people, start approaching the idea of it now. If you wait thinking you’re being polite or don’t know how to approach the subject, you may eventually find that the item is gone forever. There are many family members that have the idea that something will be theirs some day.
Once you’ve:
- talked about it with Grandmother,
- marked the item with your name and her signature
- talk around the family about how you’ve talked with Grandmother about inheriting it
Resolve any issues before Grandmother is no longer with you
If more family than you wants the recipes, share them by copying for those who are requesting to have them too. Just don’t wait!
Would you regret not talking with your Grandparent?
Have you approached them in a unique way? Tell us! Leave a comment
Sometimes you have to ask a parent for the item that you and your grandparents shared because they passed away before you became old enough to know what it means to you. Share that memory with them and talk about your grandparents with them. Your parents would appreciate the fact that you cared about and loved their parents.