Grandparents Shape Lives: Why We Should Listen To Our Elders

Being a grandparent is a blessing for those who are fortunate enough to become one and have regular contact with their grandchildren. In times past, children even knowing one grandparent was a luxury, as even though couples had several children, sometimes at quite young ages, their parents did not live as long a lifespan as people do today. Nowadays, many children live with their grandparents as well as their parents, so they are able to have the best role models to shape their future.

As someone in my early twenties, I am very lucky that all four of my grandparents are still living, aged 70, 72, 86, and 79. I am grateful for every day I get to spend with them, listen to their stories, and make memories. Many of my friends have sadly lost, or have never met, one or more of their grandparents, I consider myself very fortunate in that respect.

However, I am not the only one so lucky. Ingvar Myrvang, a Norwegian man, was 74 years of age and a grandfather himself. His grandmother was Marie Andersen who, at 110, was the oldest living person in Norway. Jack Bolden was almost 78 when his grandmother, Elizabeth Bolden, died in 2006 at 116 years old. It is difficult to imagine ourselves being that age and still having a grandparent whom you cherish!

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Elizabeth Francis (1909-2024) with her granddaughter Ethel Harrison and daughter Dorothy Williams © LongeviQuest

It is no secret that loneliness is a major issue for the older generation, especially those who have been widowed, or are living in care homes, or those who have no close relatives or friends. When I was in college, I took part in a project with an organisation called “Bridging Ages”, the purpose of which was for us teenagers to go to an elderly person’s house, interview them about their life, and write a biography which would become a published book. I was paired with a lovely gentleman named Brian, who had recently lost his wife and whose children lived far away. The book was published, and now Brian’s story will never be forgotten. Imagine how many more stories could be told if more children took the time to sit and listen to their grandparents.

Many seniors also partake in local clubs or groups, especially if they have a common interest. My maternal grandparents are members of the Trefoil Guild, a group of erstwhile Girl Guide leaders who meet once a month and do various activities and fundraising events around the community. Many are widows who live alone, or in a retirement facility, and the chance to go out and interact with younger generations is very special to them.

Numerous supercentenarians have credited their close-knit family as the secret to their longevity. Many photos of centenarians with their great, great-great, or even great-great-great-grandchildren are available to see, and it shows how loved the patriarch or matriarch of the family is. Esmond Allcock, a 108-year-old Canadian man, was overjoyed when he met his great-great-grandson – who was named after him – for the first time. A select few individuals have known the privilege of being a great-great-great-great-grandparent! Seven generations in one family!

In the words of Ben Meyers, LongeviQuest CEO, paying tribute to 115-year-old Elizabeth Francis (pictured above with her granddaughter Ethel Harrison and daughter Dorothy Williams): “We are all probably thinking of her granddaughter who took such incredible care of her. She was so happy to be doing it, and I get why. Wouldn’t any of us love our grandmothers to be alive when we’re 70? Seeing her with her mother and grandmother, they just seemed timeless. Maximizing your time with someone until the end is the best antidote for grief. No one is more deserving of this kind of comfort than Ms. Elizabeth’s granddaughter and their entire family.”