“Yay! Summer vacation has finally begun! I can’t wait to go and stay at my nani’s (or daadi’s) house!” This is a popular statement and sentiment among children that makes summer feel like summer.

But why this excitement? What makes this the kids’ first priority in their vacation? Well, this is due to the bond of ‘grand sweetness’ between children and their grandparents.

Various aspects nourish this connection, which creates memories worth remembering. First things first, let’s take food for instance; who doesn’t love the tantalising food that their grandmothers cook? Yes, mothers cook amazing dishes too, but the cuisines of grannies have something special, like a secret ingredient that magnetises all children to the dining table to enjoy blissful gatherings that granny hosts on Eid and other occasions, or sometimes without any reason at all.

We often hear them saying, “You look skinny” and “Eat well!”, which is always like music to our ears.

One of the greatest adventures is when grandpa comes to pick us up from school; it is fun to narrate the stories of the day to him on the way back home, because they are amazing listeners. This trip may be in their vintage car, which they drive as if it is still the 1960s. The adventures do not wrap up here, because in the evening there are Ludo games with “Champion Granny”, who always wins — even science fails to explain this.

Spending time with our grandparents is, I believe, the most fruitful time of children. Especially when they start telling the “When I was your age” stories — how energetic they were, the arduous terrains they took to reach school, how responsible they were and how they were a symbol of bravery and valour in their youth. Their stories inspire and make children imagine them as the ‘super heroes of the past.’

But the stories that stun children the most are those of the wars they have witnessed and the ones related to the Partition. Some grandpas tell about the times they took part in these wars and how they survived during the 1960s and 1970s. Most of these stories have many valuable lessons that remain with children long after the grandparents are no more.

When the kids are scolded by their dad, they rush to seek refuge behind their dadi, to complain and then she asks her son to stop scolding the ‘innocent’ kids. And in front of nani, kids are never afraid of the stare that mum sometimes uses as her long-range silent weapon.

Moreover, children find the aura of the grannies very soothing as they sit next to her, or simply just rest their head on their laps. It is their refuge from all stress.

With the surety that grandparents will buy kids any toy or give any candy, even when their parents are reluctant, makes kids feel pampered as nothing else can.

So, kids, we must acknowledge and recognise the fact that our grandparents’ presence matters, but what matters more is the pleasure that our presence gives them. It is really important to lend an ear to the wisdom they want to share, because you cannot find it in books or on internet. Therefore, we must regard their advice, respect them and keep them happy by simply just sitting next to them or giving them a call to chat.

Make your grandparents feel as ‘grand’ as they are and shower them with lots of love, for it matters the most to them.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 12th, 2024