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Gini Carey and grandchildren Cole, 22; PASSING ON THE LESSONS WE’VE LEARNED
Cheyenne, 15; Saxon, 14 and Caleb, 6
To Eric, Jonathon, Andrew and Amber Twilley,
SPECIAL TIMES SHARED The lessons we’d like to pass on to you are those we learned from our own parents
and grandparents. First, to paraphrase Jesus, treat people as you would like to be
I know that my role as a grandmother treated. Kindness and compassion are far more valuable than fame or fortune. Never
(GG) is not only to provide unconditional give up on your faith in God; it is an anchor in the storms of life.
love and impart knowledge, but Secondly, live a life filled with love and joy. See beauty in your surroundings and in
also to create memories for my four your family and friends. Don’t take life for granted. Appreciate each and every day,
grandchildren, ranging in age from six no matter how bleak it may seem at the time.
to 22. Through the years, I have tried to Third, take care of your health - physical, emotional and spiritual. This is vital.
create memories through visits, outings, Fourth, never stop learning new things. Read and explore and have fun doing it!
trips and planned activities whenever When you choose a career, find something you enjoy doing, as well as something
I have them all to myself. Each year, I you are good at doing.
write each grandchild a special letter on Fifth, never give up on your dreams. You never know what might be waiting for you
their birthday, highlighting the changes just around the corner.
I’ve seen in them throughout that year Sixth, be true to yourself, and don’t be swayed by peer pressure. Do be willing to try
and reflecting on the times I’ve been with to understand another’s point of view, even if you don’t agree with them.
them. Their parents keep these letters Finally, be patient with your parents. Respect them and above all, love your
and, when they turn 18, they will be given grandparents like crazy, because that’s how they love you!
all their letters for future reference. After Diane and Jim Twilley
I’ve passed away, I hope they will be able
to read these letters and reflect on special A STRONG WORK ETHIC
times shared. After all, isn’t life about Our grandson, Cole, was
love and relationships with others? salutatorian of his large high
school class. In his speech, he
Gini Carey gave me credit for teaching him
about work ethic. He now has
an engineering degree from the
University of Washington and is
working for Boeing.
Joe B. Bennett
Cole, grandson of Joe Bennett
CREATING FUN MEMORIES
A former second grade school teacher, I have been retired since 1996 and have lived
in Sun City since 2003. When my granddaughter Natalie was in the fourth grade,
she was diagnosed with dyslexia and was placed in special education classes where
she missed social studies and science every day. I got her a science book so I could
follow along, and all that summer we studied the science curriculum she’d missed in
school. It was so much fun! We went on field trips. We went to museums. We gathered
rocks for the rocks unit and visited a rock shop to study the different formations.
But we had the most fun when we went to Rockport to visit my sister. She and her
granddaughter joined us for a trip to the Corpus Christi aquarium. Without the girls
knowing about it, I dressed up as Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus books. I
made a hat and put all kinds of fish on it and pinned fish on my shirt. I must say
we were the hit of the aquarium that day. They enjoyed getting to touch the stingray
and seeing all the different types of sea life. Natalie is now 26 years old and still
talks about that summer. I wouldn’t take anything for those memories I have with
her. We created such a bond that is still there.
Carol Wallace
Carol Wallace and granddaughter Natalie
366 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2016 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
