God you have blessed me indeed as the child I love has had a child I love with all that is within me. I pray that in your mercy you watch over and protect my grandchildren as you have always done for me. May their lives be long and healthy. May they have the courage to follow their dreams and should the day come when I am no longer on Earth with them, may they look back upon me with fond memories and may they never forget that they were and always will be deeply loved by me.

(By Jane Craft)

1. Thou shalt not freak out when thy grandchild to whom thou hast given a one half interest in Mt. Rushmore plus two Oreo cookies, refuses to speak to three on the telephone.
2. Thou shalt permit they grandchildren to have other grandparents before thee on certain holidays.
3. Thou shalt honot the father and mother of thy grandchildren and thou shalt not substitute thy judgment for theirs.
4. Thou shalt open the doors of thy home and thy heart to thy grandchildren without screaming "Don't touch" for thou knowest that the visit of thy grandchildren shall soon end.
5. Thou shalt remember thy family history and teach it diligently unto thy grandchildren.
6. Thou shalt refrain from exalting the roles of thy grandchildren, remembering always that thy friends also have grandchildren.
7. Thou shalt not commit effrontery: thou shalt answer the questions of thy grandchildren with dignity and respect.
8. Thou shalt not steal thy grandchild's witticism and pass it as thine own.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's grandchild for his or her good grades, sweet disposition or gentle manner.
10. Thou shalt love thy half-grandchildren, thy step-grandchildren, thy somewhat grandchildren as surely as thou lovest thy natural grandchildren, for it is the heart not bloodline that truly makes thee a grandparent.

For grandmothers and grandfathers.

For the lines and the wrinkles,
For the limps and the liver spots,
For trifolcals and bad knees,
For gray hair and bald spots,
Praise the Lord.

For the birthdays they never forget,

For the afghans they knit,
For the memories they share,
For the examples they offer,
Praise the Lord.

For the babies they hold,

For the stories they read,
For the bragging they do,
For the pictures they show,
Praise the Lord.

For the day, pray God, when we will be

Grandparents just like them.
Praise the Lord.