27 Wholesome Stories About Grandparents That Made Me Cry
Recently, BuzzFeed shared the results of a study on the impact grandparents have on their grandchildren. It turns out that of all four grandparents, maternal grandmothers (aka your mom's mom) have the biggest positive influence.
Of course, the other grandparents often have a positive, loving impact on kids as well. And some maternal grandmothers aren't the best influence.
But generally, the 'main finding was that investment from maternal grandmothers seemed to be able to protect their grandchild from the negative influence of experiencing multiple adverse early-life experiences,' Samuli Helle, the lead researcher, told HuffPost.
People commented on the post with examples of how their grandparents — especially maternal grandmas — positively impacted their grandkids' lives. Here are some of the many wholesome replies:
"My maternal grandmother is one of my favorite people on the planet. She was the first person to educate me about trans and queer people. She has been an advocate for science, nature, truth, art, and peace throughout my life. She protested the Iraq War. She also doesn't have patience for BS. I love her. I hope she lives forever."
—asstundersecretary
"My mom passed in late November. She had a massive stroke in April and never really recovered. In her last year, I saw my 17-year-old son demonstrate selflessness to make her passing easier for her. He'd hold her hand for hours in the hospital because she was scared, and it made her feel safe. I watched him read trashy celebrity news on his iPad to her (she loved trashy literature). He actually picked her up to help her when the elevator wasn't working. He fed her. He cleaned her up."
"My maternal grandmother passed away nearly 40 years ago, whereas my mother passed five years ago. I still miss my maternal grandmother all the time — we adored each other. I don't miss my mother at all."
"I'm a maternal grandmother and love all my grandchildren equally. They are all precious to me. ❤️ I'm in my late 60s, and talking on the phone and texting with them is one of my greatest pleasures, since I don't see them often. Whenever we're together, it's like no time was lost. ❤️🙌"
—savoryfan557
"My four grandparents all positively influenced in my life for different reasons. They all had a different perspective, and I admired them both individually and collectively."
"My mom and I would go visit my maternal grandmother every summer vacation for six weeks in Kentucky. I loved her so much. Great childhood memories."
"My name is Norma. I stopped working after 30 years to look after my three grandchildren from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekday until all of them went to preschool. They're adults now and still come to see me. Love moves mountains."
—goldenbubble64
"My maternal grandmother was the most amazing woman ever. She's been gone 40 years, and I still think of her every day. I have an old spoon and knife she used for baking every day — no store-bought cakes or biscuits in her house! I use them to bake now, and friends will always ask what cakes I have. I like to think my grandmother smiles at that."
"I'm my granddaughter's paternal grandmother, and our bond is so amazing and close — much closer than the other side. I think it has nothing to do with maternal or paternal and everything to do with access and willingness to be in their life."
"I'm a maternal grandma to 15+ grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am in their life every single day. I have been the only one through thick and thin. Attended all their births too. I wouldn't have it any other way. They are my oxygen. I couldn't breathe without them. We're a German and Italian family and very tightly knit. ❤️"
—sharpqueen33
"I'd give anything to have my grandmother and grandaddy back! They were WONDERFUL! They both took care of my sister and me when we were newborns until we were 2. We were shown so much love and kindness. My mother was great, but when she married my stepdad, our life took a turn for the worse. My grandparents were always there when we needed them."
"My maternal grandmother was one of my favorite people. She loved us fiercely and defended us against my abusive mother."
"My maternal grandma was the greatest person in my life. I would give 20 years off my life to have her here with me again, younger and healthy."
—sekhmet_0224
"I was so blessed to have the most wonderful maternal grandmother. She passed away just before I turned 24. It's been almost 21 years, and I still think about her almost every day."
"Mothers statistically take on the majority of child-related work. When they look for support, those mothers are also statistically more likely to ask their own mother for support (unless that relationship is damaged in some way.)"
"I can feel a natural bond with my grandchildren and their love and excitement to be with me, and I also see that bond between my daughter and my mom. My daughter spends half of her vacation time at my mom's home in Germany almost every year!"
—maskedhedgehog683
"This is what I experienced as a child! My maternal grandmother helped me to become a high achiever with a solid self image. It's what I'm fighting for with my own granddaughter."
"I was blessed with three amazing grandmothers who each gave me unconditional love and acceptance. They each contributed to who I am and who I want to be."
"Both of my grandmothers were outstanding ladies. Very different, but I learned lots from both of them. I quote my dad's mom a lot. Both grandfathers were nice as well."
—bdrsreen
"I spent so much time with my grandparents growing up, and I'm grateful to still have one grandmother who is still alive and well. I miss my other grandparents constantly — cooking with them, watching old movies, and all those other lovely memories I hope won't fade. Now that I'm out of college, I'm so happy to be able to show my grandma around and hang out with her like a real grown-up."
"My grandson is 17. After football or work, he always flops down by me so I can scratch his head or rub his feet. I tell him how beautiful he truly is. He's the best, and my son is too."
"Memories of my maternal grandmother always warm my heart. She wasn't the cuddly grandma type, but she was always there for her kids and grandkids. She loved us unconditionally. She's been gone 38 years now, and I still miss her so very much."
—ladysingstheblues
"As a person who grew up in an extremely tumultuous household and endured abuses on every level, this really rings true. Grandmothers and grandfathers can 100% be a child's salvation."
"My maternal grandmother was one of my life's greatest gifts. Her unconditional love gave me more than I could ever articulate. I miss her every single day. I'm 52 and still cry for her."
"I adored my maternal grandma, and I was lucky to have her in my life well into my 50s. But the only person in my family who ever loved me unconditionally was my maternal grandfather. I was named after him, and that always meant something to him. He loved to tell me about all the ways that I took after him, and I loved that.
"He would invite me to stay with him and Granny for the weekend sometimes, just so he could pamper me and spoil me. He knew that I didn't get much attention at home. I miss him every day. He just loved me exactly the way I was."—sportypizza952
"My maternal grandmother protected me from sexual abuse when no one else would."
"I have one grandson who I love dearly! We have a wonderful relationship! He calls and texts me all the time! I love hanging out with him. 🥰 He is my daughter's only child."
—wittyscissors708
How have your grandparents shaped your life? Tell us in the comments!
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