As most of us know, the bombing of Dresden was even more devastating than the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the war. Our graduate had lingering and haunting memories of the devastation he helped “cause” in this city. Now, many years late, this man has been working on his doctorate in psychology so that he could begin working with troubled adolescents. He sought redemption and told of his journey during the graduation ceremony. This was a powerful moment—for many in the graduation audience could identify (in a less extreme but just as meaningful) with this soul-filled journey in their own life.
Benefiting the Grandchild
For a member of the younger generation, the benefits are great. Imagine finding an older woman or man who will listen intently to your excited recounting of finding a new friend on the playground or learning something new and expansive in your college English class. The grandparent is perfectly positioned to do the listening. They often exhibit the ability and the willingness to listen attentively and appreciatively to their grandchildren. We offer another except from SOULink: (Wright, 2015, p. 24)
The uniqueness of the adult grandchild-grandparent relationship is due largely to parents who have to walk a tightrope between mercy and tough love, as well as professional and personal obligations. The grandparent is not restricted in these ways. He or she can offer unconditional mercy, love, support and caring despite the mistakes made by the “grandchild:’ Grandparents usually have plenty of time, and have already pursued their professional goals. They are beyond the need to keep climbing the ladder; so to speak. Parents of young adults are typically still engaged in their professional pursuits, and lack the time and even patience to deal with all the emotional needs of children who are “supposed to be on their own by now.” But grandparents are beyond that, and we all know that being needed is a vital and critical human need. By the time retirement has come, and professional challenges are over, the retiree often feels unneeded, or that what they have achieved means little without someone to share it with. Adult grandchildren often don’t understand what they need, or where to get what they need.
College-Talk
What must it have been like for the young students at Western Washington University to share with an older, “wise” person their own excitement about a Summer class they are taking—especially when this elder is themselves taking a class and is also themselves engaged in learning something new. Imagine what it must be like to meet and interact with a “lifelong learner”. A wonderful role model and source of sustained inspiration regarding the value of learning.
One of us [WB] recently was blessed with the opportunity to spend time with his granddaughter at the end of her first year of college. She talked about the joy of exposure to new ideas in her English course and (at the opposite end of the disciplinary spectrum) in her Economics course. Coupled with the mind-blowing experience of being away from home for the first time was the experience of finding that college was opening up whole new worlds for her—far beyond what she knew and felt in high school. Oh, to have the opportunity to go back to college again . . . Appreciation and love for a grandchild was mixed with a touch of envy!
