Nothing rivals grandparents' special role

Jane Stubblefield, center, enjoys a laugh with her mother, Gracie Allen, 86, and her grandson, Kutler Hastings. Gracie enjoys playing with Kutler, her great-grandson, any chance she gets. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Come over here, grandrascal," she said. "Give me a kiss."

Hugs and kisses come often for Gracie and Kutler, since Gracie moved in with her daughter, Jane Stubblefield (Kutler's grandmother and baby-sitter) a couple months ago.

In honor of Grandparents Day, which is today, Stubblefield wanted to share why her mother, Gracie, is such a special person.

"She has always been there for all of us, whenever we needed her to be," said a tearful Jane.

Jane, a grandmother herself to two children, said her mother Gracie, 86, is a grandmother to 27 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

"She can't get out and do much anymore, but she loves to lay with them," said Jane. "The grandchildren love her to death."

Gracie moved in with her youngest daughter Jane a couple of months ago after spending more than eight years in a nursing home.

"I love her being here," Jane said. "I want everyone to love her as much as I do."

In addition to Jane, all of Gracie's children and grandchildren live in Bedford County, something which Jane feels is very important to their family. The entire family gets together at Jane's house to see Gracie, and each other, on a regular basis.

"I want us all to be close to (Gracie) so she can have the happiest days for the rest of her time here."

As a young grandmother of two herself, Jane says being a grandmother is irreplaceable.

"There's nothing like it, girlfriend," she said. "I don't ever want my grandchildren to leave me."

Another angel

Phyllis Polston, of Shelbyville, babysits her first granddaughter, Riley Brooke Clem, three times per week. (Photo submitted) [Click to enlarge]

Phyllis Polston, also of Shelbyville, is a young grandmother who also gets the opportunity to see her grandchildren on a daily basis.

Her first granddaughter, Riley Brooke Clem, was born March 29, 2007. Samantha Poltston, Phyllis' daughter, and Justin Clem are Riley's parents.

Phyllis, 40, lost her other daughter to leukemia a few years ago and says the birth of her granddaughter really lifted her spirits and helped her get through a very difficult time in life.

"God took our angel away and gave us another angel," said Phyllis, of her granddaughter. "The day she was born was a very special day. There were lots of happy tears."

Phyllis babysits Riley three times a week, while her daughter is working, and says she has already taught her 17-month-old granddaughter how to count. They're also working on the ABCs.

"I love being a grandmother," she said. "I want to give (Riley) love, and my time. Every time she leaves my house I cry, and so does she."

First on the way

Brenda Goodrich, of Bedford County Animal Control, may not be a grandmother yet, but she will be within the next two weeks, and she's looking forward to playing a key role in her future grandson's life.

"I am very excited, and also nervous," said Brenda, whose son Jeff and his wife, Kim, are expecting their first child Sept. 18.

Brenda says she looks forward to making cookies with her future grandson, and teaching him family traditions. She also looks forward to reading to him, although she actually has already begun that task.

"I have already read him 'In Grandma's Arms,'" Brenda said. "It's not material things that are important, it is the time you spend with your grandchildren that matters. I want to be a part of his life and make a good impact."

Doug Dezotell, pastor of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, is another Bedford Countian expecting his first grandchild in the upcoming months. Doug's son, Michael, will become a first-time father in February.

"I love having babies and toddlers around," Doug said. "And I'm looking forward to some little person calling me grandpa. I'm looking forward to sitting in a rocking chair and just holding the baby ... Just knowing it's my son's baby will be special to me."

Long-distance love

Of course, not all grandparents and grandchildren have the luxury of living so close to one another. Angelica Wortham, of Shelbyville, a grandmother of two boys who live in El Paso, Texas, says long-distance relationships can be challenging, but she makes it work.

"Sometimes it's really unbearable, but it makes me cherish our time together," she said. "Thank goodness for webcams, cellphones and telephones. Technology helps to bridge the long distance that separates us."

Finding time

Jewel Kinser, center, celebrates her 85th birthday with several of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

Jewel Kinser, 86, of Shelbyville, has four children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Though most of them live in other cities now, Jewel still finds time to make each and every one of them feel loved by her.

"We don't get together as much for the birthdays as before, since most of the grandchildren are growing up and moving away or at school, but she never forgets," said Kandee Walker, Jewel's daughter, of Brentwood.

Though she doesn't get to see them as often as she'd like, Jewel, or "MaJewel" as she's affectionately known, has learned to deal with the distance.

"It just gives me somewhere to visit!" said Jewel, who is a very young 86.

In fact, Jewel still operates her hair salon out of her home 2 to 3 days a week.

"I believe each grandchild had their first haircut by MaJewel," Kandee said.

Christian values

Her grandchildren's hair is important to Jewel, but so are their values and upbringing. She said the most important thing she can do as a grandparent is to instill Christian values in them.

"One of the greatest joys (for MaJewel) is that each grandchild decided to be a Christian with the last one being baptized just a few weeks ago."

Of course, feeding them is important to MaJewel, too. She loves to cook for them when they do get together for the holidays, or when she visits.

"She loves to bake cakes and makes the most wonderful rolls!" said Kandee. And, "whenever she goes to visit she usually has baked some gingerbread men and brings them along."

As a longtime grandparent, Jewel has one piece of advice for all new grandparents: "Just be a grandparent," she said.

Some grandparents are young, and some are not. Some may live with their grandchildren, and some may live hundreds of miles away from them.

But no matter what the situation, the bond and love shared between the two remains strong, unique and unconditional.