Our school hosts a day where the third graders can invite their grandparents to school.  There are plays on the stage in the library, activities in the classroom, refreshments in the cafeteria, and I annually read a story aloud to each third grade room. 

I have done this for 22 years; realizing that in recent years the grandparents are often my contemporaries!  And, of course, working in a small community I see parents back as grandparents.  One set of former grandparents were there this year as Great-Grandparents!  And for 22 years, since the stage is part of the LMC, I have listened to countless practices for “The tale of the Unhoppy Bunny”.  My aide and I can quote lines and probably could could serve as understudy for most any part!

The opportunity to read to the grandparents is enjoyable.  It brought me a surprise this year, however.  As I sat in the hospital waiting room during my mother-in-law’s surgery, a gentleman sitting across from us didn’t say hello, but rather, “why are you playing hooky from school?”  I was startled.  I didn’t recognize him at all.  “Do I know you?” I asked.  “Well, you’ve read to me three times during grandparent’s day,” he grinned and proceeded to tell me who his grandkids were.

This year I read aloud Jon Agee’s The Retired Kid.  Before I started I asked the third graders in each room what it meant to be retired.  Their sincere answers provided greater entertainment than the book itself!  The Retired Kidwas a nice short read-aloud, giving me time to share with the grandparents about my job as School Library Media Specialist, and to encourage them in their job as storytellers for their grandchildren.  This year I encouraged them to not just “do” things with their grandkids, but to share their own personal narrative stories.  Those personal stories provide a foundation for children that is invaluable.

By the way… did you know that being retired means “you are too old to do it anymore so they fire you”!?!  I hope I never retire!