happy grandparent's day, and thank you to the folks at Hallmark

Some people don't like "Hallmark holidays," but I like all occasions to party, in any form.

Does this "holiday" give us an excuse to bake a cake/go out to eat/scarf down chocolate/wear a new outfit/give or receive gifts or take photos? If so, I'm all over it. I don't care if these events were invented by the greeting card companies. I might even go wild and spend money on cards to boot. I think all these occasions are great fun.

Some people I know don't even celebrate Valentine's Day, saying they tell their loved ones their feelings every day, and they don't need a holiday to remind them. Are you kidding me? I love my family, and they love me, and bring on the candy.

In mid October we midwesterners have Sweetest Day, a sort of Valentine's Day knock-off. My son-in-law, who is from the east coast, had to be indoctrinated, I mean trained that this was one more chance to make my daughter happy. Are we materialists? Maybe a bit. But I say if it takes a special day on the calendar to get the men in our lives to show us the love, that's ok.

Today is one of those days (at least in my part of the country.) It's Grandparents' Day. Never mind that grandparents are also mothers and fathers who have already been honored on those special days in May and June. Time to give a special September shout-out to our elders today.

Grandparents are awesome. I never knew my grandparents, save my paternal grandmother, who died when I was seven. I have only a few memories of her. I remember visiting her apartment, on the lofty ninth floor, and feeling beautiful when I wore the rosary she kept in her nightstand drawer as a necklace. My children are fortunate. They have two grandmothers and a grandfather, and up until a couple years ago, a great grandmother, a "Busia."

They are such important people in my children's lives, loving them and supporting them, spoiling them and nurturing them. Everyone tells me grandparents really have it great -- they can spoil 'em and send 'em home.

Well friends, wish the grandparents in your lives a happy day today.

And while you're at it -- wish me the same!

That's right! My oldest daughter, who was just married in May, is expecting. Expecting my grandbaby!

So that makes me a grandparent, and I say bring on the chocolate! My daughter and her husband are thrilled, as are we. I know you'll join me in praying for "the peanut."

Cards, letters, gifts, flowers and commemorative jewelry appreciated. OK, maybe just congratulatory comments!

"Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and parents are the glory of their children." Proverbs 17:6