Last month, on Sept. 12, it was Grandparents Day. For many people, grandparents play an important role in addition to their parents in their lives. Several Rockets here at Richard Montgomery High School reflected on their relationships with their grandparents, sharing some interesting experiences and wisdom that they have learned. 

Many people live near their grandparents, while others live farther away, sometimes in a different country. Freshman Charisse Fung is fortunate to have grandparents who live close by. “My maternal grandparents live near us, in a condo, and it’s nice because we celebrate my birthday together every year,” Fung said. 

Similarly, senior Elena Berman has a close relationship with her grandparents as well. “Both of my maternal and paternal grandparents live within 30 minutes of me, so it’s been nice to be able to do things with them,” she says. “My relationship with my Bubbe and Zaydie [grandparents on father’s side] is pretty chill, like, I’ll tell them about what’s been going on in my life and stuff; with my grandma, on my mom’s side, my relationship is more centered around doing things, like going to sports games and having dinner together, but I still talk with her about my life.”

Senior Connor Palansky has a slightly different experience, as both sets of their  grandparents have gone through divorce and live in different states and countries. “I see my local grandma probably every two to three months, but for my grandparents in Florida and grandma in Toronto, it’s more like I see them every two years,” Palansky said. 

For some, grandparents are their quintessential story tellers and advice-givers. “I’m somewhat close to my grandparents– I have a better relationship with them than with my parents at times honestly, even though they can be conservative and distasteful,” Palansky said. “I really want to absorb their knowledge before they pass.”

For some people, having older grandparents means they are at-risk for death due to old age or other ailments, so it is important to them to spend time with their grandparents and listen to their stories. “My grandmas specifically have been really strong; I really look up to them. They’re always overlooked and stepped on by others around them but they’re resilient, which is really inspiring to me,” Palansky said. “I think they’re also just very strong people, living on their own after divorcing their abusive husbands.”

As many grandparents live separately from their children and grandchildren, the time spent with them can be very valuable. “I see my grandparents every Sunday,” Fung said. “Spending birthdays and holidays with them has definitely stood out to me.” 

Berman also appreciates the moments she has with her grandparents.  “I love helping my Bubbe and Zaydie prepare for holidays,” Berman said. “The time I spend with my grandma is also really nice.”

There can be many things to learn from one’s grandparents as well, reflected in Palansky’s own experiences observing their grandmothers. “Especially when I used to paint my nails more, I would always think of them and reflect how even in their old age, as their hands become calloused and bruised and old and shaky, they always have perfect nail polish, with one grandma preferring red and the other a nude,” Palansky said. “When people compliment me on my nails, it reminds me of them.”

As these Rockets grow older, childhood memories with their grandparents are thought of with nostalgia. “I remember walking around RIO with my grandma and my mom when I was little and going on the paddle boats and having a lot of fun,” Berman said. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely made it more difficult for people like Palansky to see their out-of-town grandparents, but it has taught them to cherish the memories they have had, and pushes them to reach out more over phone and email. “I want to absorb all of their wisdom that they’ve gained before they pass,” Palansky said. “They have so much life experience and stories, so I’m thankful that I can still learn these stories while my grandparents are still here.”