The research revealed that when grandparents receive but do not give to such a relationship, they are more likely to experience depression. But when they can both give and receive in a mutually 1-2-1 relationship depression decreases markedly.
Today the incidents of depression and loneliness have only been accelerated because of the pandemic. Research is saying that 25% of Americans were lonely before COVID, not its about 36%. 61% of young people feel lonely frequently or almost all the time, marked rise in suicide and opioid addiction.
This was a Eureka moment for JW. This wasn’t just about grandparents and adult grandchildren from a biologically connected. She witnessed this firsthand in her own life with an unlikely bond.
Andrew and Jennie
JW offers the following story—and shared it as well in the video recording. Young Andrew often wandered next door to visit Jennie who was an extraordinary cook and allowed Andrew to watch, learn and even participate in her cooking adventures. This became a thing which included trips to Reid’s for meats and cheeses and to the Matthews Farmers market early Saturday mornings. This bond grew and grew but what I came to learn years later that this relationship served to offset some significant challenges in both their lives.
Andrew was experiencing lots of anxiety at his own home as his parents’ marriage was falling apart. He himself had been tested after challenges at school. Told he was of average intelligence, certainly not college bound, on the other hand, Jennie, had her own struggles. Her husband was struggling with retirement and started drinking to much and having an affair.
What this amazing bond allowed without words of their struggle, to do with what is working in their lives. Andrew’s love for cooking and Jennie’s unconditional love for Andrew.
Jennie could have kicked her husband to the curb and Andrew could have felt branded by these test results. Jennie’s husband came back so to speak and joined in the fun and relationship with Andrew. Andrew went on to complete a four-year degree program at Johnson and Wales after a series of jobs at world class restaurants like the French Laundry in Napa, California, he NOW serves as the Director of Culinary Operations at The Inn and Little Washington under Chef and Proprietor Patrick O’Connell. You may have seen Amazon Prime, the highly acclaimed documentary, featuring how this restaurant went after and achieved the coveted 3 Michelin Stars three years in a row
So having witness this real-life story, you can understand why JW had to write about it and why the Boston College research made such an impact and passion for mentoring across generations.
Andrew is JWs stepson.
