What Makes Grand-Parents so Grand?
Back in 1970, Marian McQuade, a West Virginia housewife, came up with the idea of a establishing a day set aside to encourage families to visit their elderly relatives. She hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents. With a firm resolve to make it happen, she began lobbying policymakers. McQuade got through to her senators who introduced a resolution to make Grandparents Day a national holiday. It took a while to reach the White House, but finally, in 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed into law, the resolution declaring National Grandparents Day as the first Sunday after Labor Day.
In celebration of Grandparents Day, Lehigh Valley Marketplace took to the streets of the Lehigh Valley to find out what makes grandparents so grand.
If your grandparents were superheroes, what would be their superhero name and power?
“If Popsie were a super hero his name would be ‘The Shooting Master.’ His super power would be shooting basketball missiles.”
– Brendan, age 10
“Her name would be ‘The Green Granny’ because she would give kids veggies with a giant laser gun.”
– Nathan, age 10
“My pop-pop would be ‘Family Superhero.’ He could shoot lava, fire, ice, water, bricks and wood. Mum Mum would be ‘Family Girl’ and she would be Pop Pop’s sidekick. She could run as fast as Flash and be as strong as the Hulk.”
– Tommy, age 5
“My pop-pop would be ‘Super Pop-pop!’ He would be able to shoot freezing breath out of his fingers.”
– Brock, age 4
“She would be ‘GrandMaster Vo-vo.’ Her superhero power would be that she could do anything.” (Vo-vo is portuguese for grammy).
– David, age 9
“My Grandma’s super hero name would be ‘Mega Love’ and she would show everyone how to love their grandchildren because she is the best at it.”
– Katie, age 8
Why do you love your grandparents?
“I love my Pap Pap because he gives me cookies.”
– Riley, age 4
“I love Popsie because he tells funny jokes.”
– Colin, age 7
“I love my grandparents because they take me for ice cream.”
– Connor, age 4
“I love them because they always make time for me and love me very much.”
– Julia, age 9
What is your grandma or grandpa the best at doing?
“My pop pop is very good at being loyal.”
– Michael, age 9
“My mom mom is really good at setting the table for parties.”
– Bryn, age 6
“My grandmom is the best at doing somersaults.”
– Brock, age 4
Why do your grandparents need a vacation?
“Mom Mom needs a vacation from Popsie.”
– Brendan, age 10
“My grandparents are really, really, really good at being grandparents but they need a vacation because I talk a lot.”
– Ava Grace, age 6
Why are grandparents better than parents?
“Because if I didn’t have grandparents I wouldn’t have parents, then there wouldn’t be me!”
– Molly, age 7
“Grandparents are better than parents because grandparents are always listening.”
– Bridey, age 9
“Because they are not as stingy.”
– Alex, age 14
If your grandparents were famous, what would it be for?
“Pop Pop would be famous for being funny and making people laugh. Mum Mum would be a famous gardener because she has a lot of pretty flowers.”
– Sammy, age 7
“My grandpa would be famous for being the best Cooking Fisherman in the world.”
– Drew, age 9
