Dear Amma and Papa: A Letter to My Children’s Grandparents

Grandparents DayDear Amma and Papa,

There honestly are no words I can say to accurately express my love and gratitude for you. When I was looking for someone to spend the rest of my life with, I gave little thought to the immeasurable impact his family would have on our lives. Yes, I worried that his family may not like me or that we wouldn’t get along, but little did I know the enormous role you would play in our married life. 

I remember the day that we shared with you that we were pregnant. All we could ask for was excitement and support, but you took that one step further in declaring that once I returned to work your grandchild would come to you. I could not imagine how you would manage to work full-time and care for our child, but when we even mentioned looking for half-time care you quickly dismissed the idea. I was thankful then for the sacrifice you would be making for our growing family, but now I am thankful for so much more. 

I, like every working mother, was sad to think about leaving my babies with someone else when I returned to work, but unlike so many other mothers I knew they were with someone that loved them almost as much as we do. I appreciate that you not only tell them how handsome and beautiful they are, but also that they are strong, smart, and kind. You are always there, for celebrations, to drive them to appointments, to make sure they are taking swimming lessons, to wipe away tears when they are hurt, and to hold them a little longer when they don’t feel so good. My children are incredibly blessed each day to be surrounded by your love and support. 

Thanks to you my children’s days are enriched with so much more than just the lessons they may learn in school.  They have witnessed what truly sacrificing for those that you love looks like. They watch as their Amma arrives home from a long night of work caring for others to immediately care for them.  You never complain even when we know you are exhausted you greet them with the warmest smile and the biggest hug. I am thankful for the relationship that my children have with not only you, but also their extended family. I love the days that they come home and share stories about the great Aunties and Uncles that they have spent the day with. Because of you my children will have a rich relationship with their extended family, something that I did not have growing up. They have a deeper sense of family, one that extends to more than just bloodlines, but also the family that comes from community. 

So in honor of Grandparents’ Day, and really every day, I want to say thank you. You are right there beside us experiencing all the moments in the sun that come along with raising two beautiful souls, as well as those moments when we are not sure we will ever see the light again. I wish that I could repay you for all the time, love, encouragement, stability and support that you give us, but I know I can’t, so I hope that the squeals of “Amma!” and “Papa!” will fill your heart as much as they fill mine. 

Thank you for all that you do and for all that you are. 

Love,

Your Daughter


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Samantha Jacob
Samantha is a Kansas girl through and through. Born and raised in a rural community near Topeka, KS, she moved to Wichita in 2002 to attend WSU. Obtaining her graduate degree from the Wichita State School of Social Work, she loves her job as a pediatric medical social worker. Samantha calls East Wichita home with her husband, two beautiful children, and dog. Having lived in Wichita for over a decade she has enjoyed rediscovering Wichita through the eyes of her children. When time allows Samantha enjoys spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, and re-watching episodes of the West Wing.

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