Because (grandparents) are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations.
Interpretation
Grandparents can provide unconditional love and guidance to their grandchildren without the burdens of everyday responsibility.
This quote emphasizes the unique role that grandparents play in the family dynamic, highlighting their ability to form deep, meaningful connections with their grandchildren. Since grandparents are not encumbered by daily parenting responsibilities, they have the freedom to nurture relationships that help bridge the generational gap, fostering understanding and emotional support across ages.
In practice
In a speech on family values, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of grandparents in a child's life.
Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future of endless sacrifice. In fact, acknowledging these realities is the first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world - water, food, minerals, farmlands, forests, overpopulation, pollution - if we tackle them with courage and foresight.
The preeminent obstacle to peace is Israel's colonization of Palestine.
I would say the biggest handicap we have right now is some nutcases in our country that don't believe in global warming. I think they are going to change their position because of pressure from individuals, because the evidence of the ravages of global warming is already there.
If I were president, I'd be very glad to see the Palestinians have a nation recognized by the United Nations. There's no downside to it.
My understanding of racial discrimination as a child was highly distorted because the most prominent man in Archery was an African-American bishop. When he came home from up north, where he was in charge of A.M.E. churches in five states, it was front-page news. He was the most successful man in my life.
Our American values are not luxuries but necessities, not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad, greater than the bounty of our material blessings.
Motherhood is a hallowed place because children aren’t commonplace. Co-laboring over the sculpting of souls is a sacred vocation, a humbling privilege. Never forget.
There will come a day, I promise you, when the thought of your son, or daughter, or your wife or your husband, brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. It will happen. My prayer for you is that day will come sooner than later.
The first duty to children is to make them happy. If you have not made them so, you have wronged them. No other good they may get can make up for that.
May each family rediscover family prayer, which helps to bring about mutual understanding and forgiveness.
I worry about my children worrying about me, feeling like they need to be the strong ones. It's not the right order of things.
I am the product of the sustained indignation of a branded grandfather, the militant protest of my grandmother, the disciplined resentment of my father and mother, and the power of the mass action of the church.
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