Grandparents and grandchildren are a celebration of perfection and nurturing love. Today is Grandparents Day, a holiday celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, officially proclaimed in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. The day honors the special bond between generations and reminds us to cherish the wisdom, kindness, and joy that grandparents bring into our lives.

"It's funny what happens when you become a grandparent," explained basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. "You start to act all goofy and do things you never thought you'd do. It's terrific."

Grandparents Day offers the perfect excuse (as if they need one) to show extra love for grandchildren. A loving connection across generations, the day also helps children celebrate the wisdom and heritage older people possess.

"The closest friends I have made all through life have been people who also grew up close to a loved and living grandmother or grandfather," reflected anthropologist Margaret Mead.

Grandparents Day was the vision of Marian H. McQuade of West Virginia, who devoted her life to advocacy for senior citizens, the elderly, and the homebound.

"Whether they are our own or surrogate grandparents who fill some of the gaps in our mobile society, our senior generation also provides our society a link to our national heritage and traditions," wrote President Carter in his proclamation, following unanimous Congressional support.

"Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children," praised author Alex Haley, whose bestseller Roots (1976) was inspired by stories told by his grandparents.

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