Grandparents certainly play an important role in God’s plan for the human race. Happy is the child who has grandparents who can give him/her the love, tender ness and understanding and time that he/she needs.

I was fortunate to have my grandparents in our home since 1979 when my grandfather retired as a pastor and my grandmother as a teacher. They had been very active, I am told, in their younger days touring and preaching in various villages of Andhra Pradesh. Hence it is not surprising that they had a big impact on my spiritual life.

I must confess, that I preferred to keep away from my grandfather. Having suffered from a paralytic stroke, his voice was hoarse and rather frightening to me as a small boy. But still we enjoyed many a memorable moment together. He used to sit and proudly watch me at play. My grandfather died in 1985. To be frank, I miss my grandfather more now than when he died. If he were alive now, I would have enjoyed clarifying my doubts, shared my joys and sorrows and expressed my views and ideas on various matters to him.

My grandmother, obviously has a greater influence on my life. As I think of her, my thoughts race back through the years. I remember how often her hands have tenderly wiped away a tear, firmly held my chubby hand to cross the street and skill fully mended a tear in my shirt. She also used to teach me several choruses and memory verses.

One of the most memorable incidents I can recall is when my grandparents gifted me a children’s Bible. Its illustrations were attractive and I read through it most eagerly. If the habit of reading the Bible daily has been inculcated in me, I trace its roots to that first Bible.

One asset the older people have is more time. Yes, they are the only grown-ups who have a lot of time at their disposal. No longer tied down with the activities of the world and making a living, my grandparents had enough time to share with me, When I was a small boy my grandmother had many Bible stories and fables to tell me. These stories which are still imprinted on my mind, added to my life as a child a unique perspective of the history of mankind.

Memories of elderly loved ones can be rewarding and enriching. I loved to sit with my grandma, when she shared her memories of good old days with me. Details, other family members tend to forget, are vividly remembered by my grandmother. By reminiscing the past details, she was able to provide continuity between past, present and future.

After the death of my grandfather, my grandmother went to stay with her other sons and daughter for three years. When she came back, I had grownup and had become a young teenager. I had accepted Jesus as my Saviour and life had a new meaning for me.

I enjoyed chatting with my grandma for long hours, discussing various matters specially those related to our faith. It was only then that I realised the value of the impact of my grandparents on my life because their wisdom and experiences of years are a great asset.

When my grandma left us to stay with my uncle and I really did miss her But I shall never forget all that she and my grandfather have meant to me. I consider myself blessed and fortunate to have had such loving and understanding grandparents. I thank God for my grandparents.

Shameen a 14 year old teenager is the eldest son of Dr. & Mrs. Prasantham of Christian Counselling Centre. Vellore. He is studying in Ida Scudder School, Vellore.

-Shameen Prasantham