26th July is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, father and mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I have always been intrigued by this couple, because I often wonder who could have raised someone like Holy Mary, the Glorious Mother of Jesus Christ. There isn’t a whole lot written about their lives, before or after having Mary, aside from what is contained in the Apocryphal Protoevangelium of James.
Joachim was a well respected and “exceedingly rich man” of the tribe of Judah who often doubled his offerings to God, while Anna was the daughter of a priest of the tribe of Levi. They were married for many years without children.
The story goes that an angel of God appeared to them and then they were blessed with a baby girl who was Holy Mary. They must have been so happy to be blessed with a baby girl, that even in their wildest dreams they must have not expected that their baby girl would be chosen to be the mother of Jesus and hence they were blessed to be His grandparents.
Whenever I think of St Joachim and St Anne, I am in awe and feel they were so blessed to have Jesus as their grandson, wonder how they might have embraced Him, made Him sit on their laps and told Him tales of the land . His grandfather might have taken Him for long walks , can imagine how Jesus might have held his hand, on the other hand His grandmother must have prepared delicious dishes for Him.
The purpose of celebrating Grandparents day is to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
Depending on how far away they live and other circumstances, they can be caregivers, teachers and playmates. They are trusted advisors for their adult children who are now parents themselves. For many families, grandparents provide regular child care. In some cases, they are primary caregivers to their grand kids. They are the best support system any child can hope for.
Grandparents can get away with a little spoiling, which gives them a special place in a child’s (and a Mom’s) heart. They tell great stories. Grandparents are the bearers of a family’s history. They pass on family traditions and regale Grandchildren about how life ‘used to be’.
So grandchildren who have grandparents do take care of them and shower them with all your love as you don’t know “HOW LUCKY YOU ARE”.
-Mrs. Gladys Da Silva – Ward 3