Every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day, the United States celebrates Grandparents Day. This year, on September 7, let’s pause to honor the men and women whose love, wisdom, and sacrifice shape generations.
My grandparents enriched my life in countless ways. They were farmers, and my sister and I spent a few summers “help” in the farm. Grandpa put seats on the fenders of a tractor we called “The Three Seater.” We spent hours in those seats “helping” him plow the fields. Once aged out of helping, our youngest sister and a cousin took over. They gave us a link to our family history, and they stepped in when my family fell on hard times, giving us lessons in resilience, and unconditional love that will never fade.
The role my grandparents—and many others—often went far beyond occasional babysitting or holiday traditions. More and more grandparents these days are stepping into parenting roles once again.
The Hidden Heroes: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 2.1 million grandparents are responsible for raising their grandchildren. That’s roughly one in three grandparents who live with their grandchildren shouldering primary caregiving duties. Even more striking, nearly half of those grandparents have been in that role for five years or longer.
For these families—often called grandfamilies—grandparents give up much of what retirement is “supposed” to look like. Instead of leisurely travel or quiet hobbies, they’re juggling school schedules, sports practices, doctors’ appointments, and daily meals. They’re stretching finances, setting aside their own dreams, and starting over in a parenting role they thought was behind them. And yet, they do it out of love and a determination to protect the children in their care.
Ellie’s Story in Before I’m Gone
This reality is reflected In my novel Before I’m Gone, a story that grew from my reflections on the topic. I asked myself: What would it be like if retired grandparents took in their toddler grandson and adult son—an Army veteran scarred by PTSD and ADHD—at the beginning of his struggle, then the grandfather dies, and the father suddenly has custody of three more children? That’s when the character of Ellie showed up.
Ellie is a 68-year-old widow who thought her days of child-rearing were behind her. She had planned a quieter season of life, one spent treasuring memories of her husband and nurturing her own independence. Instead, she becomes one of those statistics. But she’s far more than a number. Her story reflects the resilience of grandparents everywhere who set aside their own plans to create stability and love for the next generation.
Her story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Like so many grandparents today, Ellie faces sleepless nights, chaotic schedules, and the emotional weight of knowing her time is limited. Yet she gives everything she has to make sure her grandchildren grow strong and independent—even preparing them for the day they must face life without her. Ellie’s story is fictional, but it mirrors the courage and sacrifice of real grandparents across America.
How Families Can Celebrate Grandparents Day
Grandparents Day is not just about buying cards or sharing a meal (though those gestures are beautiful too). It’s about intentional recognition. Here are meaningful ways children and adult family members can honor grandparents this September 7:
1. Share Their Stories
Encourage grandparents to tell their life stories—how they met their spouse, the challenges they overcame, or the lessons they’ve learned. Record these conversations or write them down to preserve family history.
2. A “Legacy Dinner”
Host a family meal where everyone brings a dish inspired by a grandparent’s recipe or favorite food. Between bites, share the life lessons and memories they’ve passed down.
3. Create a Memory Book
Fill a scrapbook with photos, drawings from grandchildren, and notes of appreciation. For grandparents like Ellie, who are raising the little ones, this book can serve as a reminder of how deeply their sacrifices are valued.
4. Acts of Service
Sometimes the best gift isn’t material. Offer to mow the lawn, help with errands, or babysit so that caregiving grandparents can rest. Adult children can take on a practical burden to say, “I see you. I appreciate you.”
5. Give the Gift of Time
Plan a simple outing: a picnic in the park, a walk down memory lane in an old neighborhood, or a board game night at home. The best gift is togetherness.
6. Advocate and Support
For those who know grandparents raising grandchildren, consider offering more than celebration—offer support. This could mean donating school supplies, helping navigate healthcare or legal challenges, or simply being a reliable shoulder to lean on.
Why It Matters
Grandparents Day is more than just another holiday—it’s an opportunity to celebrate the everyday heroes in our families. For some, that means honoring the storytellers, the bakers, the gardeners, and the history-keepers. For others, it means recognizing the grandparents who, like Ellie, are doing the hard work of raising children all over again.
Closing Reflection
This September 7, let’s do more than say “Happy Grandparents Day.” Let’s truly see our grandparents—their sacrifices, their resilience, and their unwavering love. For those like Ellie, who step in to raise grandchildren when life takes an unexpected turn, the holiday becomes even more poignant.
Grandparents are proof that family isn’t defined only by bloodlines or titles, but by the courage to love when love is most needed. On Grandparents Day, may we celebrate them not just as the keepers of history, but as the heroes of today.
I’ve shared how much my grandparents meant to me—but Ellie’s journey is about becoming that anchor for her own grandchildren. If you’d like to see what happens when a grandmother opens her home and her heart to four little ones who desperately need her, I hope you’ll pick up Before I’m Gone.