It’s Just Not in the Cards

The great news: My grandfather, love of my life, turned 91 today!

The bad news: I had to try to find him a birthday card. UGH!

There I stood in the store, faced with zillions of choices for every occasion—except my grandfather’s birthday.

If I were a 6-year-old, I’d have plenty of options for Grandpa or Pop-Pop. But as an adult … not so much. Why is that?

What’s a family?

I realize, of course, most people don’t have 91-year-old grandfathers. I am blessed in a way I cannot adequately describe! I also realize that not every gal has the same father-daughter sort of relationship with her grandpa that I do. (Again, a blessing I cannot adequately describe!)

But why should a grown woman struggle to find even one card for her grandfather? I kid you not, my neighborhood drug store had not a single option! 

It makes me sad because I think it says something about how little “family” sometimes matters these days. I’m not talking about the “Mom, Dad and 2.5 kids” variety, either. I truly believe that whether you have two parents, four parents or no parents; whether you have six children or none; whatever your circumstances, you have a family in your life, somewhere, that you can choose to celebrate.

Again, it makes me sad that more people don’t lift up the loved ones in their world, and I fear it has something to do with the definitions and constructs we’ve attached to relationships. (Calling a family “broken,” for instance, is not a helpful way for anyone to move forward.)

Thank you

Despite my frustration in the card aisle, I found a way to celebrate the greatest man I’ll ever know. I bought a Thank You card!

The cover quotes Colossians 3:12, 14 (NASB). The interior verse is simple and beautiful:

The time you’ve given

The hearts you’ve touched,

the lives you’ve blessed—

these are true gifts from God.

Thank you for sharing His love.

Amen! Thank you, God, for my grandfather.

Thank you, Popaw, for being my main man.

And to all families: Love, cherish and celebrate each other, no matter who or what “each other” might be.

About the Author

Jennifer Scroggins

Jennifer Scroggins joined Franciscan Media in July 2010 as division director of content creation and services. A northern Kentucky native, Jennifer is passionate about travel, sports, cooking, fitness, music and the Catholic faith. She is a member of St. Paul parish in Florence, Ky.