A tribute to the grandparents, the only people able to stop time

Today is celebrated on Grandparent's Day in some countries of Latin America and Spain, making it coincide with the Catholic liturgy that commemorates the saints of Joaquin and Ana, grandparents of Jesus. Additionally, the UN celebrates on October 1, the International Day of the Elderly, a day that commemorates all the elderly, in general.

Whether on one date or another, what is clear is that grandparents are a fundamental piece in the lives of children and, as such, deserve to have a memorial day on the calendar.

Grandparents, when magic comes true

School summer vacations force parents to juggle children. Few are the families in which both parents can combine child care by alternating their own vacations, and grandparents often play a fundamental role in these cases.

Daily on these dates, I meet grandparents in parks or supermarkets caring for their grandchildren. Grandparents always smiling who seem to forget the fatigue that comes with the weight of the years.

When I see my children enjoying their grandparents and their grandparents, I think they are really lucky, both one and the other. And I know that one day, my little ones they will appreciate the precious gift that life has given them.

Because when my child sits on his grandfather's knees, time stops. Both look at each other with that mutual admiration difficult to describe and the magic begins. The magic of words, timeless stories and wisdom that a broken voice manages to convey

A magic that hypnotizes my son while listening, rapt, the experiences of a childhood that happened several decades ago. A childhood where there were no mobiles, tablets or, on many occasions, television.

And my child arches his eyebrows and opens his eyes wide as he listens. And I watch the scene from a distance, afraid to approach don't break that special halo that floods the room.

A while later, the calm of wise words has given way to a unbridled game more typical of two young boys That of a grandfather and a grandson. Both lying on the ground, or dancing while playing an imaginary drum, or kicking a ball.

Where has the chronic pain or fatigue of a bone curved over the years? Again, magic! The magic that only occurs when grandparents and grandchildren play together.

"Mom, dad, where are your grandparents?" - My child asks us. And then I realize that Grandparents should be eternal and that all the children in the world should always be able to enjoy them; of his wisdom, his temperance and his patience.

Of those old hands that will never let go. Of those eyes hidden under droopy eyelids that will never lose sight of them. Of those tired feet that, however, will never get tired of taking them for a walk, or of that muted voice that will resurface strongly to tell stories or sing funny songs

"Our grandparents live in the stars. It seems they are far away but they are not. They never leave." - And my child is amazed. Magic again! Why only a grandfather is able to light a star and bring their light through the window to continue accompanying, from a distance and despite the passage of time, their grandchildren.

  • Photos | iStock