I was re-reminded just now to write this blog on gratefulness for grandparents when I was in the grocery store – and overheard this father say to the little girl: “who taught you how to skip?” – “GRANDMA!” – “Ah, grandma has taught you everything…”

THANK GOD for Grandmas, for Grandpas, for Aunts and Uncles, for those who just teach children – all our children…

And last night (after the beach and then ice cream) we went to the American Tapestry concert – and along all the classic songs, I had a great vantage for people watching… I watched in a sweet private JOY of a view from my middle seat at a concert to the side – to see the sight glimpsed as a grandson had his grandpa’s directing baton, after Grandpa finished guest conducting one strong song in the concert (I am assuming a Grandpa from the interaction I saw from a distance with a younger woman and little girl just in the doorway outside this big auditorium, also glimpsed from my middle seat, looking out). This grandpa beamed in his performances, and the grandson, maybe 8 or 10) was content the WHOLE TIME with that baton in hand – swinging it… And the grandfather later was the piano player for the most amazing energetic rendition of Rhapsody in Blue – so excitedly playing that the grandpa nearly fell off the chair near the end…

These gifts of concerts and the whole feel of Ocean Grove NJ Camp Meeting and beach – well are such a gift of “old time sake” – and a gift of being transported to both a tucked away gem but also the benefit of world-class entertainment – really amazing stuff. And the openess of the side doors allows for many on-lookers to peak in – without committing to the event – and even all the way accross the street one can hear the music in the bathroom – it carries.

And the most amazing thing carries – which is not a thing – but is love spread from grandparents – from other family members down the line – forward into their families – like the little boy getting to just be himself in mimicing the conductor and getting an appreciation of music.

So – let us all be like those grandparents in life – and appreciate teaching – let us love which God has given us in excess to share – let us just be thankful, watchful, musical, and skipping in joy…

AMEN