The Smell of Cookies and the Sound of Laughter
When I was a kid, family wasn’t something we had to plan for.
It was always right there. My parents lived next door. My Papou and Yiaya were just a short walk away. Sundays meant food, laughter, arguments, and stories all wrapped in the smell of Greek cooking.
My Yaya’s cookies, Papou’s cigar smoke, the sound of Bloomberg Radio in the background those little details filled my childhood. And they’ve never left me.
That was my inheritance: closeness.
What My Son Won’t Have
My son’s life is different. He never met his paternal grandparents. They passed before he was born.
He did have his Yaya Becky, my wife’s mom who moved across the country just to be near him. She baked with him, played with him, filled those early years with love. But in late 2024, cancer took her suddenly.
Now, the grandparents he has are his Grandpa and Grandma, who live in California. They love him dearly, and when they visit twice a year, those visits are wonderful. But it’s not the same as walking next door or gathering every Sunday.
Why Grandparents Day Matters
That’s why today, Grandparents Day, matters so much to me.
It’s not about flowers ordered online or Hallmark cards dropped in the mail.
It’s about connection intentional, steady, lasting.
It’s about showing the grandparents in our lives — whether near or far, whether by blood or by love — that they matter. That they belong in the story of our lives.
The Gift That Lasts
Looking back, I barely remember the physical gifts things my grandparents gave me.
- I remember Yiaya’s cookies.
- I remember Papou’s laugh when he caught a broker’s mistake.
- I remember my other Yaya’s quiet devotion, praying in her pew long after church had emptied.
Those ordinary moments were the real gifts. Presence. Attention. Love.
A Simple Invitation for Today
So here’s my invitation to you, on this Grandparents Day:
- Call your grandparents.
- If they’re gone, share a story with your kids about them.
- If you’re a grandparent, record a short memory on your phone and save it for your grandchild.
- Or, gather around a screen for a quick video chat, even if it’s just ten minutes.
Because one day, those small scraps of connection will be the treasures your family carries forward.
More Than a Holiday
Grandparents Day isn’t about grand gestures.
It’s about showing up, being present, and saying: “I see you. I love you. I’m grateful you’re part of my life.”
That’s the only gift that lasts.
Memory Mission
After reading, jot down one story you’d love to share with your grandkids this week. Start with: “I remember when …”
Start Your First Mission