Since it’s been a LONG time since I had grandparents, National Grandparents Day had little meaning to me until March 13, 2018! In the last months before my first grandchild was born, people were frequently asking questions like, “Are you excited to be a grandparent?” Truthfully, though, I really didn’t think much about being a granddad UNTIL I walked into the maternity ward at Baptist Medical Center, where both of my children were born, and laid eyes on Helena Mink Kelly! To say it was love at first sight is an understatement, and when Martha and Patrick told me they decided to name her after my mother, I was moved and overjoyed.

Now, Helena and her parents live with me, and it is truly a gift. I am blessed that I get to see my granddaughter almost every day, and Beverly and I get to hold her every now and then. In fact, the highlight of my summer of 2018 was the night Beverly and I got to babysit Helena. Since she slept the entire time, it wasn’t a lot of heavy lifting, but we felt very important in watching over her and staring intently at her video monitor! I love Helena tremendously, and I know that as she continues to grow and develop a personality, it’s only going to get better and better. So I am now on the bandwagon of National Grandparents Day!

P.S. – This year I also get to celebrate having a precious granddog, Copper!