Grandparents, stand up and receive your roses. Today is your day, and you deserve everything your children and grandchildren bestow upon you.
Mothers had their day in May, and fathers had theirs in June. Now those who speak wisdom into our lives are celebrating their special day. Without grandparents, there would be no day for mothers or fathers.
National Grandparents Day is a secular holiday that is celebrated in the United States on the first Sunday after Labor Day. The first official Grandparents Day was observed Sept. 6, 1979.
Thirty two years after the first observance, Grandparents Day is becoming more popular. This year, it falls on Sept. 11, and will be observed in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
After the lazy days of summer, grandparents deserve a little recognition because many of them spend the summer babysitting their grandchildren while school is out.
Grandparents relish time spent with their grandchildren, and grandchildren enjoy going to their grandparents’ houses — especially for the summer when they can escape their parents’ rules for a moment.
As the traditional definition of family changes, grandparents’ roles are changing. Many have been thrust into the role of both parent and grandparent.  
Grandparents generally fall into three categories. The first is the custodial grandparent, who has legal custody of a grandchild.
Then there is the “living with” grandparents, which means a child may live with his or her grandparent even though the grandparent does not have legal custody of the child.
And let’s not forget the “daycare grandparents,” who help out by babysitting and occasionally caring for their grandchildren.
 On National Grandparents Day, don’t forget to appreciate your grandparents. Do something extra-special for them today and throughout the year. Offer to wash and detail your grandma’s car. Or, with fall in the air, take over leaf-raking duty so your grandpa doesn’t have to worry about it.
Don’t hesitate to call your grandparents, send emails or post a special tribute on Facebook — anything you can think of to make their lives a little nicer. Grandparents have a lot to offer. They have an abundance of love, wisdom, patience and experience to help shape young lives and make society a much better place.
Grandchildren also offer new experiences, often helping grandparents feel needed and young again. When grandparents have a little trouble with their electronic gadgets — DVD players, DVRs, smart phones, iPads and MP3 players, grandchildren usually can step in and easily solve the problem.
Even if you don’t have grandparents, there are many  senior citizens who are alone and would love to have company. If you’d like to brighten someone’s day by paying them a visit, check with churches, assisted-living communities and nursing homes.
Most seniors would consider it a treat to have a young person “adopt” them as grandparents. 
On this National Grandparents Day, share some love and kindness with your grandparents and other senior citizens. You’ll be glad you did.