What is a grandparent? These definitions were taken from papers written by 8-year-olds.

€ Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people's.

€ Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old, they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to shops and give us money.

€ When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

€ They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on “cracks.”

€ They don't say “hurry up.”

€ Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.

€ They wear glasses and funny underwear.

€ They can take their teeth and gums out.

€ Grandparents don't have to be smart, but they have to answer questions like “why isn't God married?” and “How come dogs chase cats?”

€ When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.

€ Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television.

€ They know we should have snack-time before bedtime, and they say prayers with us every time and kiss us, even when we've acted bad.

€ A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. “Oh,” he said, “She lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”

€ Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him! - Sent by Harold Lucia Utrup.

Nelson lives and writes

in Auburn