So, your grandparent is moving in. What should you expect? First, expect to have to adjust. The daily schedule will likely change around the house. Mom or dad will have to take your grandparent to the doctor much more. Traveling may be slower and more limited, and you may need to be more independent. Expect to struggle because the changes that come with a grandparent aren’t always easy. You have to learn to be respectful even when ideas expressed are old fashioned or possibly completely wrong. Through all of the ups and downs and ins and outs of the journey of life with Grandma or Grandpa, expect to laugh. It may not always be easy, but there will always be a silver lining if you keep your sense of humor. Here are a few examples:
1. Hearing hilarious stories (with an unknown amount of exaggeration).
The stories that grandparents can tell are amazing, whether about themselves or about others they new. When you hear how your grandpa lived on his own at 12 years old during the Great Depression or how he played baseball in the minor leagues, you get to hear of great adventures. Of course, who knows how much is actually true?
2. Extremely loud talking at inopportune times.
Your grandparents probably speak loudly much of the time, but you don’t really notice it until it happens at the right moment: during a speech, in the midst of a prayer, or even at a wedding ceremony.
3. Enjoying their interesting sense of style.
Some facts, such as the change of styles, don’t register in their minds. Grandparent: “People don’t wear all white when going on a cruise?” Family: “What about the nice summery shirts we got you?” Grandparent: “No, I want to wear white. I need to get some new white shoes.”
4. Their blunt wording.
Make sure you don’t take things your grandparent says too personally. It can be very offensive and certainly not proper. Much of what grandmas and grandpas say is true, and it is certainly funny. Grandpa: “All the ladies in the senior center are built like mac trucks.” Me: “Grandpa!” *breaks down laughing* No one should ever say that, but when it comes from a small, 96-year-old man, you can’t help but laugh.
5. Learning the truth about your parent when they were a child.
How much does your dad really tell you? What is your mom leaving out? Grandparents are more than happy to talk about their kids. Often times, all wrongs are forgotten. What your parents don’t want you to know doesn’t seem like a bad thing to loving grandparents.
6. The shuffling walk.
Even if they can normally walk without a walker, grandparents get tired sometimes. Then comes the funny, although sometimes scary, shuffle. It’s kind of like watching a baby just learning to walk or someone who’s drunk: take a step, wobble a little this way, sway that way.
7. My, what big shoes you have.
I’m not sure if their feet just don’t shrink like the rest of their body, but grandparents tend to have large feet compared to their height. Or at least large shoes. This contributes to the unbalanced walking. Sometimes grandpas can even take pride that their feet are still a size 11.
8. Clearing their throat to “subtly” let you know they want/need something.
You’ll pick up on this one soon enough, and it may start to irritate you. Really, it’s funny and endearing. They don’t really want to bother, but they do want you to do something for them. When they have a cold, you’re never sure if they want something or are coughing. It’ll keep you on your toes.
9. Hearing about how great their car is, especially if you now drive it.
No car is better than their car. It doesn’t matter how old or how nice it is. Now you get to drive it. You are so lucky! The smooth drive of the old Honda Accord is incomparable.
10. Hearing the songs of old.
Grandparents, like everyone else, want to participate, but sometimes they aren’t up to date in the area they want to participate in. There’s nothing like singing a song, and then hearing Grandma start singing a completely different song from 60 years ago that she thinks you know too. Everyone know it!
11. Sneaking food.
They are just like little kids: they aren’t hungry at meals because they sneak snacks throughout the day. You may even ask them if they need anything and be told they’re fine. Then come back fifteen minutes later to see them rummaging through the granola bars.
12. Getting random answers to your questions.
This is my personal favorite. When you ask your grandparent what they would like for lunch and they tell you, “It looks really nice out today,” you can’t help but smile.
Living with a grandparent is like nothing else. It isn’t just adding a member to your household, it’s adding smiles and laughter and great stories.
