Hudson Valley Parent

The strings that hold us together SEPTEMBER 8TH IS NATIONAL GRANDPARENT'S DAY By PAM MOLNAR M y grandmother is 92. She lives independently in her own home and only recently gave up driving. "Granny" has lived through the Depression and survived Polio. She was a working mom during June Cleaver's time and has witnessed the amazing progression of technology. Sadly, she has also buried her parents, siblings, husband and most of her friends. She is in the winter of her life. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day (this year it is September 30 Hudson Valley Parent 8th) as National Grandparent's Day. While some might see it as another Hallmark holiday, I see it as one more holiday with my grandmother and another opportunity for my children to spend time with their great-grandmother. We recently had dinner at my parents' house. Four generations of my family spent the afternoon talking, laughing and celebrating another year together. The age difference between the oldest and youngest generation was 80 years, but that did not inhibit the conversation. As the family historian, I brought my video camera along. My 92 year old grandmother often reminds us September 2013 that we may not all be together next time. With the video camera recording, I asked my parents and grandmother some questions about their childhood. The kids were fascinated to hear that the generations before them did the same kind of things they did - go to school dances, ride their bikes and wear braces. My daughters were surprised to hear that "Granny" got her first doll and buggy at the age of 12. After our video session, my parents got up to check on dinner. My husband and son sat close by immersed in a game on TV Afraid . to lose the girls to their electronics, Granny had an idea.

• Cover