Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • 21

LIFESTYLE Press Sun-Bulletin 7B Sunday, September 10, 2006 Grandparents, grandchildren share letters of love SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Want to join the celebration of grandparenting? Visit our forum and post a message. It's at www.press connects.comgrandideasforum. J. (- Iff 1 1 jl Blaze, 12, and Gunner Raible, 5, wrote their letter about their grandparents, Bill and Lorraine Blabac of Johnson City, in the car on the way home to California after visiting them in Johnson City. Sweeter than cookies "Last month, my grandparents, Donald and Martha Bowker of Walton, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

They are everything grandparents should be. "As children, we were glad to visit Grandma's house. We could always expect to find a special treat waiting for us; coloring books, dress-up shoes, or Pop Tarts our favorite breakfast. As the years went on and money became a little tight, Grandpa got creative. He began buying us Barnum's animal cookies when we came to visit.

What a great treat as we each got our own bright red box complete with little handle. No matter how often we saw them, Grandma and Grandpa always had animal cookies for us. "Somewhere along the line we grew up, married and began to have children of our own, and the cookies became a memory of fond times at Grandma's. Two years ago their first great-grandchild was born, and with her birth the circus wagons began to appear again. Now, not only the greatgrandchildren, but we grandchildren and our spouses can expect a bright red circus wagon upon arriving at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

"At 24 years old, I realize that the bright red boxes are no longer just something to keep little hands occupied or simply a tradition being carried out Those circus wagons symbolize years of fun, laughter, and love that my grandparents have given us. I still get excited to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house and get my own bright red circus wagon complete with little handle, but the best part is not all the cookies stuffed into that little box it's all the love hidden between them." Elizabeth Barnes, 24, Hallstead, Pa. Grandma's greatest gift "My grandmother is what I want to be when I grow up. "I wish I could describe her in a way that would do her justice. In my mind I always see her sitting ramrod straight in a chair, and without words she could compel you to sit just as talL She looks nowhere near her 80-something years.

Her salt and pepper hair still hides her age, and her eyes still sparkle when she speaks to you. She says what she thinks, does what she wants, and is stubbornly independent. "We often joke that if our community ever decided it needed a mayor my grandma would make a good one. There aren't too many people she doesn't know, and even if she doesn't know you, she'll wave at you anyway. I can't count the number of times I've been introduced to someone, only to see a smile and hear, 'Oh yes, I know your "She lives less than five miles from about 20 of her immediate family members, but would she call one of us when she locked herself out? Of course not.

Finding herself standing in her yard one day, she jimmied open her dining room window and hoisted herself in. She tells that story with a description of her butt hanging out of the bay window for all of the neighborhood to see. Among other things, my grandmother showed me how important it is to be able to laugh at yourself. "My grandmother knows when we need her. About six years ago, my husband and I lost a baby about four months into pregnancy.

My husband and I struggled with how we would handle it with my older sons, then 10 and 7. Should they go to a funeral? Should we even have one? What do people do in this situation? "In the middle of our indecision, my grandmother helped us decide. She informed my mother that we could bury the baby at the foot of my grandfather's plot. He is buried in an old cemetery by a beautiful church. You couldn't create more peaceful a place.

"This gift from my grandmother helped us take the next step. We had a very small service, and my children were there. My boys saw us value that life, and I don't think they will ever forget it. And I felt good being in that familiar cemetery thinking of my grandfather waiting to greet my child. "That small gesture at that awful time was among my grandmother's greatest gifts to me.

"Happy Grandparents' Day, Grandma Bernadette Keough." Tina Conklin, Chenango Bridge Cross-country tribute "For me and my little brother, just seeing our grandparents Bill and Lorraine Blabac of Johnson City is special because they live so far away. We just spent the last 22 weeks with our grandparents in Johnson City after driving all the way from California. "Our grandparents are special because they are never too tired to play cards or make snacks and they're not getting any younger! They also don't mind that we call them G-pa and G-ma for short. They take us to all the church festivals and bazaars to get Russian foods but I'd have to say that my Grandma makes the best pierogies and holupki and you just can't get those in California. "Grandpa is special because he likes to do all my motocross stuff with me.

This year he came out to watch me race at Broome-Tioga during the outdoor national weekend. Grandpa enjoys a good moto and he never misses a chance to see the pros either. My grandpa is also very good with a truck and a trailer. He bought bis 4 4 out to Broome-Tioga and pulled our trailer right through the mud no problem! "On my way back to the West Coast I realized how much I will miss my grandparents they are special because they make me feel special." Blaze Raible, 12, and Gunner Raible, 5 What would we do without them? "My name is Maggie Striley. I am 10 years old and live in Endwell.

My Grandma Grandpa Pochily are so special to me. My mom and dad work, so when there is no school I get to spend a lot of time with them, especially in the summer time. My mom always says, "I don't know what we'd do without them!" "They are always helping us to her grandchildren that she truly understands: "the importance of family and their values," she says. "This has given me a strong faith, love, loyalty, laughter (along with tears as we deal with the losses of loved ones) but most important is respect for each other." Food and love But in the end, it may be the culinary talents of grandparents that receive the highest marks when it comes to praise. "The one thing that made my grandmother so special," Prutisto says, "Was her famous Sunday morning fried meatballs.

They were made of pure love. In her kitchen, those days, there was always a September. Contact in your area 1 mm 11 ff I 3 ways had to give me a new hairdo, She would give me home permanents and she could really wind those curlers tight. Before her death it was my turn to take care of her, and washing her hair was my greatest joy. Turnaround is fair play.

Now I have just become a Grandma for the first time. I hope that my granddaughter and I will spend lots of fun times together." Lena Sherwood, Berkshire If baby could "My name is Emma Nagorny and I am 6 months old. I can't talk quite yet, but if I could, I would tell you that my grandparents, Ray and Margaret Frederick of Endiott, are special to me for a lot of reasons. They like to play with me. They like to read me stories.

They make me laugh with their funny faces. They sing silly songs to me. They kiss me and kiss me then kiss me some more. I love them very much, and would like to wish them a Happy First Grandparents' Day!" Emma Margaret Nagomy (from her Mama, Laura Nagorny), Johnson City Grandma is a role model "My name is Taelor Moyer. I am 10 years old.

My Grandma's name is Bobbie Jean Moyer. "I am writing this because my grandma is very special to me. She has taught me many things in life, from reading and writing to riding my bike and even whistling. But most of all she has taught me how to be strong. "My grandma has leukemia and is waiting for a bone marrow transplant that costs several thousand dollars.

My grandma was in remission for three years with leukemia. Now she has to go to Rochester for three to six months. "My grandma sets a good example because she walks around with no hair and doesn't care what other people think. She is very strong to go through this and I want her to know how thankful I am for her and how much I love her. "She is a very important part of my life.

I love you grandma!" Taelor Moyer, 10, Endicott READ MORE LETTERS There are more letters from grandparents and grandkids on the Web at www.press connects.comlifestyle. ONEONTA BUS LINES ua unio hamed lail blacks Festival OdW "Off to the eastern Slim ol Maryland" TO Oct 16-22 "Autumn Colors in Oct 21 -22 "Shop Til You Drop" '208 Sept 16 Statue ol LibertyEllis Island Sept 17 New England's Big Fail 75 Sept 17 ADayatHersheyPark Adult Child Sept 1 9 Luncheon Caiise Castle Tour "92 Sept 22 Chef Tour of Italian Markets Sept 24 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival Sept 24 Dover Nextel Racing One Day Sept 24 3rd Annual Lobster Fest Sept 26 Big Senior Days Sept 29 A Gaither Homecoming Event Oct 1 Keuka Lako: Dining Sightseeing Oct 5 Blue Man Group -Pepsi Arena Oct 7 Hairspray Broariway Show Oct 7 Letchworth-Arts Crafts Show 62 3i. anna Sept 12 Foxwoods B-50, S-49, 0-48 Sept13AtlanticCity B-49, S-50, 0- 51 Sept16AtlanticCity B-49, S-50, 0-51 Sept 19 Turning Stone Casino B-25, S-26, Sept 1 7-1 8 Atlantic City Taj '136 134 '168 '136 Oct 1-2 Bally's Park Place Oct 9-10 Mohegan Sun Oct 15-16 Atlantic City Taj Mahal B-Binghamton, S-Sidney, 0-Oneonta Mi Prices Are Per Person, Double Occupancy (607) 432-5418 Or (800) 458-1556 www.eastemtrav.com .67010 El out and they are both so nice to me and always make me feel special (especially Grandma). My grandpa likes to golf a lot, so when it's just me and my Grandma, we get to do "girlie" things. You know like shopping going to lunch and my favorite making yummy cookies.

She always lets me roll out my own dough and decorate them any way I like. My grandma is the best baker in the whole wide world! "My Grandpa always comes to all my softball basketball games. I don't think he's ever missed one. When the game is over, he always says, 'good job and gives me a big hug. They're the best and I love them both very much! Happy Grandparents Day! Happy Birthday Grandma! Love, Maggie" Maggie Striley, 10, Endwell A moving tribute "I think my grandparents are special for many reasons, such as: they live far away but they try to visit a lot and when they visit they bring presents.

When they are here, my sister and I do Grandma Mary's hair and have a fashion show. We watch" car racing with Grandpa Doa "They moved two times from California to Florida then from Florida to North Carolina. They moved just to be closer to us. "Grandparents in the sun, "Grandparents having fun. "Almost Grandparents Day, "One more thing I have to say "Grandparents, Yea!" Cassidy O'Brien, 8, Town of Dickinson It's her turn, now "My maternal Grandma passed away last October, she was 96 years young.

As a girl growing up I would spend a week with her and my grandfather each summer. And she al- pot of sauce cooking on the stove, fresh Italian bread and lots of hugs and kisses" to go around. Most grandchildren would agree with Prutisto when she says at a grandparent's house, "you never left hungry for food or love." When you are a grandparent, you "really do not have anything else to do anyway that could possibly be more important," says Mary Heffern, Binghamton grandmother of Declan Heffern, 23, of Sterling, Va. "Time has taught me that the laundry will wait to be done until later, the timing of the next meal is not all that important and dust bunnies can be caught another day." Grandchildren, she says, "are a real treasure to be had." Tournament of Roses Parade Land only, call for air 1 98 For cruise specials and more, visit us at boscovstravel.com GRANDPARENTS Mary Heffern of Binghamton rides the carousel with grandson Declan Heffern of Sterling, Va. Grandparents also can play the role of spiritual teacher and moral guide to their grandchildren.

Grandmother of three Vicki Richter, 72, of Endicott was one of 15 children whose father died before the last sibling was born. She was raised by a single mother, and has one lesson to pass on CONTINUED FROM PAGE IB Grandparents rock While parents usually bear the brunt of disciplining children, grandparents often are off the hook in that department. Parents have to make sure children do their homework and get to bed at a reasonable time; grandparents are more apt to let the bedtime slide. And homework at grandma's house may take the back burner for a night while model railroad projects, art projects or baking takes center stage. "Don't always say 'don't do etc," advises Craig M.

Houck, a Binghamton grandfather (he goes by "Let a child experiment, try to do things, fall down, explore and use their five senses." Grandparents such as Houck have the benefit of distance measured in years which gives them a different perspective on childrea They are better able to appreciate every moment of a child's time, because they often have more time than parents. They are better able to appreciate children's activities and ideas because they are at a point in life when they may crave stimulation and entertainment. "Try to imagine what they are experiencing," Houck advises. "See the wonder in their faces as their senses experience what they see, feel, touch, taste and hear in the world around them doing so might just let you remember when everything was new." That may be precisely what grandparenting offers: a second go at life, this time vicariously experienced through the eyes of someone much younger. Words of wisdom One thing grandparents are always ready to dispense is good advice.

"My grandpa has taught me the lesson of hard work and getting a job done and getting it done when you say it will be done," says Danielle Gulick, 19, of Hallstead, Pa. "He also taught me how to take care of animals." Somehow advice and lessons are easier to swallow when they come from a grandparent rather than a parent. Gulick says that even though she is now a sophomore in college, she still calls her grandfather, Bernard Ryan of Vestal, once or twice a week. Yvonne Hynes, a Vestal grandmother of "three little characters with a variety of personalities," says she is always offering "little morsels of wisdom for them to ponder, sometimes padded with humor. Some of her favorites: "Pack your own parachute" meaning, "don't rely on someone else to do everything for you." "When you point a finger at someone else, three of them are pointing back at you" meaning, "it takes two or more to create a problem.

You shoulder some of the blame!" Faith and lessons to remember "My grampy takes me outside to play and shows me how to climb the big rock in his yard," says Hayley Adams, 8, of Sidney. "He always sits by me when I try to sleep and tells me stories and about him. He stays until I fall asleep." Adams says her grandfather prizes her imagination. Their favorite activity together the two "make spy gadgets" to use to "spy on Grammy and mom." Grandchildren never grow out of their need for grandparents. Angela Prutisto of Johnson City says that when she thinks of her grandmother, Connie Serafini, 96, of Binghamton, "a stream of wonderful memories runs through my head." Not only has Serafini dispensed wonderful advice to her 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren, she also "opens her door to anyone who needs her." 1 Discover your many vacation options! Free, 2 fun seminars begin in your local Boscov's Travel for more info or til visit us at boscovstravel.com for a complete VACATION PACKAGE 1 Airlines Flight accommodations Rent-A-Car of a Boscov's Travel $528 5, list of seminars ORLANDO ISBCJ I NON-STOP DEPARTURES Reading: Oct 1,8, 29 Harrisburg: Oct 15, Nov 12 AVOCA COMING SOON AuTMowzro VACATION PLAMttr.

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