Grandparents are a valuable resource. They have so many stories and experiences to share in shaping people and cheering up children. Grandparents are links to a child’s cultural heritage and family history. Children want to build relationships with their grandparents. Some children describe the relationships between them and their grandparents. BETTY AMUKPO puts forward their narratives.
‘She taught me to always greet and respect my elders’
My grandma lived at Aba where my mother usually takes me to during festive periods. Though I was much younger then, I could still remember the beautiful farm in her compound with so many fruit bearing plants where I always go to play with my cousins. However, it’s good to remember that my grandmother spent her last six months on earth with my mother in our home here in Lagos and that gave me the opportunity to bond with my grandma, that I was the last person she spoke to and her last words were “Munachi how are you?” She loved me so much and shared her meals with me. She taught me to always greet and respect my elders, Ephesians 6:1 and to help my mother with house chores because there’s no food for a lazy person. 2nd Thess 3:10. My grandma passed on at 83years when I was 7 years old in 2017. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
• Immanuella Munachimso Okasi
‘The relationship between me and my grandma is beautiful’
The relationship between me and my grandma is beautiful and special; luckily, I stayed with her, she represents sheer love ,warmth and security, she taught me to work hard and be the best in everything I do and be respectful,. She is firm and strict, Proverb 23:13. She listens to me, encourages me to be a good listener and talk less; achieve more, over protective but prayerful, she is my best friend.
• Daniel Oghenemaro Ighonana
‘My grandma always prays for me’
My grandparent informs us of our history and important traditions. My grandma always prays for me just as Jacob (Israel) blessed his grandchildren in Genesis 48:9; Proverbs 17:6
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘I had a short relationship with my grandfather, he was a really good man’
I had a short relationship with my grandfather before he passed on, and I can say he was a real good man, lovely and nice. He was an authoritarian; that was what he used to be back in the days. And my grandmother, she is so spectacular; she still lives loving and caring for everyone. Everyone would wish that they had my kind of grandparents. I remember when my grandfather was still alive he used to tell us this moon light story, it was always fun and interesting.
• Awaki Barnabas
‘My grandparents accept me with love’
I have a close relationship with my grandparents which is mutually beneficial when it comes to the health and well-being of the both of us. My grandparents are patient, accept me with love, stability, wisdom, fun and big support to us her grandchildren. The elderly ones have positive effects on our well-being. Children who have warm relationships with their grandparents tend to be more resilient and can bounce back better during life ups and downs.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘I love my grandparents and I am very fond of them’
My grandparents are the parents of my father and mother. I have been living with them since I was one year old. I love them and very fond of them. My grandma is a disciplinarian. They are the ones that nursed me from a baby to this stage. They are my first teachers. They trained me physically, morally, spiritually. I am proud of them; they have formed my life positively. They are like my biological parents. They have taught me how to live in peace with people and love them, how to do little house chores and they have equally taught me how to pray and remain in constant relationship with God. I thank God for such a perfect gift of my grandparent. May God bless and keep them for me. Amen.
• Anyasor Chibuike
‘An indescribable mutual connection I had with my grandma’
This reminds me of my dad’s mother, Yaya. A woman filled with wisdom (Job 12:12) who never spared the rod (Prov. 23:13). An indescribable mutual connection I had with my grandma. The relationship I had with her is a rare one that I can’t describe that paved the way to my success.
• Okpata Peter
‘It is an exhilarating relationship with my granduncle’
It is an exhilarating relationship with my granduncle. He never ceased to pass on words of wisdom (Psalm 78:4). He is a disciplinarian (Hebrews 13:7); my love for the Roman Catholicism and this unique rapport we have is irreplaceable. A father and son’s mutual understanding and tolerance are what we share.
• Okpata Paul
‘My grandparents accept me with love’
I have a close relationship with my grandparents which is mutually beneficial when it comes to the health and well-being of the both of us. My grandparents are patient, accept me with love, stability, wisdom, fun and big support to us her grandchildren. The elderly ones have positive effects on our well-being. Children who have warm relationships with their grandparents tend to be more resilient and can bounce back better during lives ups and downs.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘My grandmothers have been a great source of love, patience, wisdom’
There is nothing like the love and adoration of our grandparents to us their grandchildren. It is a special kind of bonding that is often filled with immeasurable joy. In Proverbs 17:6.”Children’s children are a crown to the aged …” Painfully, I lost my grandfathers before I was born. My grandmothers have been a great source of love, patience, wisdom and support to me and are still doing it. Anytime they are around, it’s fun, laughter, and admonition in the sweetest way ever. In Gen: 48:9.”Joseph said this, father ‘ they are my sons, whom God has given me here. And he said,” bring them to me, please, that I may bless them “. I will love to be a wonderful grandmother one day by the special grace of God Almighty, Amen.
• Victoria Okefe
‘I am very fond of my grandparents, aged uncles and aunties’
I love my grandparents and all my aged uncles and aunties. I am very fond of them all. I like visiting them and they live here in Lagos also, they are loving and kind. My maternal grandparents live in Warri. I look forward to spending holidays with them and all my cousins, both my grandparents are very caring, they always give me gifts and always pray for us every day. I pray God grants them good health of mind and body.
• King St. Stephen Oghenerukevwe Okeregbe
‘My grandparents show us unconditional love which helps us feel safe and secure’
Proverbs 4:1-27, my grandparents shows us unconditional love which helps us feel safe and secure. The warm relationships make our grandparents happier and live longer. My grandparents tell us about family culture, tradition and history. For many families, grandparents provide regular child care. And whether they live nearby or stay in touch from afar, the love and emotional closeness that grandparents provide makes a big, positive impact on their grandchild’s healthy development. Grandparents connect us to our roots and help us understand more about who we are and where we came from. We find ways to be helpful, such as helping them at home or with projects. Treat our grandparents with respect and dignity. Spending time with them can help you learn all about their lives and experiences. We have to be patient and kind towards them, even when they frustrate you or annoy you, which is not deliberate, but to test our tolerance of others. We grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Proverbs 16:31
• Okononfua Bryan
‘My Grandparent is kind and prayerful, she gives us genuine love’
We grandchildren are like the crown to our grandparents. Proverb 17:6 says “although children are proud of their parents, grand children are the reward of their grandparent.” My grandparent is kind and prayerful, she gives us genuine love from her heart with lots of wisdom teaching, fun to be with. With positive effect on us. So we should all love and respect our grandparents because of what the Bible said in Proverb 13:22- A good person leaves an inheritance for the children but a sinner wealth is stored for the righteous.
• Eziashi Faustina
‘My relationship with my grandparents is special to me’
My relationship with my grandparents is very cordial and special to me. I wouldn’t have parents today if they didn’t give birth to them. Therefore it’s my duty to love and care for them. My paternal grandma died four years ago. Before her death, my family and I used to visit her and she would bless and pray for us. Just last year, my maternal grandma was sick and my parents invited her over and took care of her till she was well enough to travel back. I am grateful and blessed to have seen my grandparents. May God continue to bless and protect them. I pray for a long and healthy life for them. The Bible in Proverbs 17: 6 states that “Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers”.
• Blossom Akalezi
‘I feel so excited because they are the best grandparents any child can think of having’
There is nothing like the love and adoration of God fearing grandparents to their grandchildren. It is a special relationship that is often filled with incredible joy. My grandparents are a delightful blend of laughter, caring and telling us wonderful stories, though they stay in the village, I didn’t get to see them too much but they were great role models of showing love, respect and helping others the little way they can. Whenever I and my siblings visit them at home I feel so excited because they are the best grandparents any child can think of having. Psalm 145:4 says, generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts. The best is the amazing privilege of passing the baton of faith and God-fearing to me and my siblings. Proverb 13:22 says, a good person leaves an inheritance for their Children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. I Love my grandparents.
• Chima Anita.O
‘I always want to have them around me because of their prayers and teachings’
Having my grandparents around me is one of those relationships I considered a true happiness in my life because they always preach good work and teach me to believe in God. The relationship between me and elderly people in my family is very good because I do learn a lot from them and I always want to have them around me because their prayers and teachings is among the driving force behind my success. It was written in 1 *Timothy 5:17* that: “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” I will consider them an honour in my life.
• Eyinade Gideon
