The Greatest Job in the World

I have the greatest job in the world.

It is more rewarding than the various professional positions I have held and it pays nothing in worldly terms. But it brings the deepest, most heartfelt joy a person can experience.

I’m a grandpa. Here are my grandpa statistics:

• One wife of 46 years. (She probably would argue that being a grandma is the greatest joy in the world.)
• Two children, one of each gender (I’m convinced there are two)
• Four grandchildren, two girls (fraternal twins), and two boys. All are under age four. Three live in Illinois; one lives in Ireland. (Hint: the Irish grandchild is the one with the Irish name.)

I bring this up because July 25 will be the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Of all the many inspiring messages of Pope Francis, his message for this special day is my favorite. The message is well worth reading. The words that struck me most were these:

“Even at the darkest moments, as in these months of pandemic, the Lord continues to send angels to console our loneliness and to remind us: ‘I am with you always’. At times those angels will have the face of our grandchildren, at others, the face of family members, lifelong friends, or those we have come to know during these trying times when we have learned how important hugs and visits are for each of us. How sad it makes me that in some places these are still not possible!”

I am blessed beyond my own understanding to have four of those angels in my life. So I feel compelled to share the top 10 reasons why I love being a grandpa. You will quickly notice that there are four “ones” and I have listed them in alphabetical order to make clear that they are all of equal importance.  In other words, my first four reasons are the same.  Each is one of the angels who speak to me and make my life have more meaning than it ever had before they arrived.

One: Damian John Paul.

One: Juliana Therese.

One: Lucy Faustina.

One: Senan William.

Five: Revived memories: Watching my grandkids reminds me of what my children were like when they were little. I’m reminded of the joy and happiness they brought into the lives of my wife and me. I relive their cuteness, cuddliness, and squealing joy.

Six: Cleansed memories: I have so much fun with the grandkids and remember so many great times with my children that I tend to forget the negatives things. I know that my kids did some knuckleheaded things when they were teens, but the more time I’m with my grandkids the less I can remember their parents’ transgressions.

Seven: My children demonstrate great parenting skills. Actually, I think my son and daughter are better parents than I was, especially when they were little. They have more patience and consistency. It is nice to know the next generation is wiser, even if some of that wisdom comes from surviving my faults.

Eight: Second chances: I was an imperfect father and now am an imperfect grandfather.  However, I have an opportunity to show understanding and kindness to my grandchildren to a greater degree than I showed my children.

Nine: Focus of love: The various members of the family may not agree on politics, religion, diet, fashion, music, or global warming.  But all the differences melt in the presence of grandchildren, who give us a taste of the future and hope for humanity.

Ten: Fishing. I love to fish and sometimes I actually catch something.  With grandchildren, I have a new generation of people to share fishing with, teach to fish, take in a boat, share the joy of the first catch, and celebrate the miracle of the great outdoors.  When I fished with my son, he always caught the bigger fish and I didn’t mind. My daughter liked to handle the worms.  I think the grandchildren have similar potential. (Believe it or not, I have created a 10-year plan for teaching the little ones to fish and we’re just in the first year.)

I’ve heard people say that having grandchildren makes you younger. Honestly, after a day with the grandkids, I feel more tired than young.  But I also feel more determined to take care of my health, exercise, eat right, and stay active as long as possible. After all, year 10 of my fishing plan is rather vigorous and by that time I will have reached an age most people call “elderly.”

Pope Francis will grant plenary indulgences on the First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, to grandparents, the elderly, and all the faithful who participate “motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity.” I hope members of my family will take advantage of this opportunity.

I’m not expecting any special cards or gifts on World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. I don’t need any ties or sweaters.

My grandkids already give me the greatest gift I could ever desire: they are themselves.