BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Jewish Grandparents Network - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Jewish Grandparents Network REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20210314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20211107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20210101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220905 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220906 DTSTAMP:20220127T181117Z CREATED:20220127T181117Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220127T181117Z UID:10000088-1662336000-1662422399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Labor Day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/labor-day-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220911 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220912 DTSTAMP:20220217T192429Z CREATED:20220217T192429Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220217T192429Z UID:10000024-1662854400-1662940799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Grandparents Day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/grandparents-day/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220913T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220913T200000 DTSTAMP:20220812T162745Z CREATED:20220812T162427Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220812T162745Z UID:10000047-1663095600-1663099200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Family Room Live! Grandparents\, Bring the High Holidays to Life for Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/family-room-live-grandparents-bring-the-high-holidays-to-life/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220925 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220926 DTSTAMP:20220601T211726Z CREATED:20220601T211639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220601T211726Z UID:10000120-1664064000-1664150399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Erev Rosh Hashanah DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/erev-rosh-hashanah-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220926 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220928 DTSTAMP:20220927T134938Z CREATED:20220127T164830Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220927T134938Z UID:10000079-1664150400-1664323199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Rosh Hashanah DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/rosh-hashanah/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/flat-design-rosh-hashanah-concept_23-2148616345.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221005 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221006 DTSTAMP:20220927T135000Z CREATED:20220127T165004Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220927T135000Z UID:10000080-1664928000-1665014399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Yom Kippur DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/yom-kippur-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/realistic-yom-kippur-with-horn-with-food_23-2148640512.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221010 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221017 DTSTAMP:20220927T135019Z CREATED:20220127T180145Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220927T135019Z UID:10000081-1665360000-1665964799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Sukkot DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/sukkot-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/placeholder3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221017 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221018 DTSTAMP:20221012T193404Z CREATED:20220127T180448Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221012T193404Z UID:10000082-1665964800-1666051199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Kid-with-Torah-scroll-e1665602954555.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221018 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221019 DTSTAMP:20220722T003527Z CREATED:20220722T003527Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220722T003527Z UID:10000126-1666051200-1666137599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Simchat Torah (Conservative) DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/simchat-torah-conservative-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221025T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221025T200000 DTSTAMP:20221022T005856Z CREATED:20220921T130757Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221022T005856Z UID:10000048-1666724400-1666728000@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Family Room Live! How to Talk with Your Grandchildren About... Almost Anything DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/family-room-live-how-to-talk-with-your-grandchildren-about-almost-anything/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Harriet-Wolpoff-3-curtesy-of-True-Photography-Video-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221108 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221109 DTSTAMP:20220613T180609Z CREATED:20220613T180609Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220613T180609Z UID:10000121-1667865600-1667951999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Election Day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/election-day/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221122T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221122T200000 DTSTAMP:20221107T162718Z CREATED:20221103T124707Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T162718Z UID:10000050-1669143600-1669147200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How Feeling Thankful Builds Stronger Family Connections DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-feeling-thankful-builds-stronger-family-connections/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/How-Feeling-Thankful-Builds-Stronger-Family-Connections-500x500px.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221124 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221125 DTSTAMP:20221109T122109Z CREATED:20221026T200747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221109T122109Z UID:10000049-1669248000-1669334399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Thanksgiving DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/thanksgiving-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Thanksgiving-2022.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221129T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221129T170000 DTSTAMP:20221111T192349Z CREATED:20221111T192349Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221111T192349Z UID:10000054-1669737600-1669741200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:L'Dor Va'Dor: Affirming and Loving Your Transgender\, Non-Binary\, and Gender Expansive Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/ldor-vador-affirming-and-loving-your-transgender-non-binary-and-gender-expansive-grandchildren-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November-29th-FR-Live-Event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221201T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221201T200000 DTSTAMP:20221107T162753Z CREATED:20221107T162753Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T162753Z UID:10000052-1669921200-1669924800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How to Bring Hanukkah to Life for Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-bring-hanukkah-to-life-for-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jonathan-Shmidt-Chapmans-Hanukkah-500x500px.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221215T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221215T203000 DTSTAMP:20221111T194031Z CREATED:20221111T194031Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221111T194031Z UID:10000056-1671130800-1671136200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Creating Safe & Affirming Spaces for Our Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/creating-safe-affirming-spaces-for-our-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/December-15th-FR-Live-Event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221218 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221219 DTSTAMP:20220217T191533Z CREATED:20220127T180559Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220217T191533Z UID:10000083-1671321600-1671407999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Light 1st Hanukkah candle tonight DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/light-1st-hanukkah-candle-tonight/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221219 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221227 DTSTAMP:20221107T220206Z CREATED:20220127T180854Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221107T220206Z UID:10000084-1671408000-1672099199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Hanukkah DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/hanukkah-2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Hanukkah-2022.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221225 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221226 DTSTAMP:20220127T180930Z CREATED:20220127T180930Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220127T180930Z UID:10000085-1671926400-1672012799@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Christmas DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/christmas-2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221226 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221227 DTSTAMP:20220127T181038Z CREATED:20220127T181038Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220127T181038Z UID:10000086-1672012800-1672099199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Christmas Day observed DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/christmas-day-observed/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230110T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230110T200000 DTSTAMP:20221130T225444Z CREATED:20221130T152828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221130T225444Z UID:10000058-1673377200-1673380800@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How to Talk with your Preteen and Teen Grandchildren about Antisemitism DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-talk-to-your-preteen-and-teen-grandchildren-about-antisemitism/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/How-to-Talk-to-your-Preteen-and-Teen-Grandchildren-about-Antisemitism.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230131T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230131T200000 DTSTAMP:20230130T153451Z CREATED:20230102T184219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T153451Z UID:10000060-1675191600-1675195200@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Our Adult Children's Voices Matter: What Parents Want Grandparents to Know DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/our-adult-childrens-voices-matter-what-parents-want-grandparents-to-know/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Our-Adult-Childrens-Voices-Matter_350x350px.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230206 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230207 DTSTAMP:20230130T152856Z CREATED:20230130T125302Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T152856Z UID:10000128-1675641600-1675727999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Tu BiShvat DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/tu-bishvat-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tu-BiShvat_350x350px.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230221T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230221T200000 DTSTAMP:20230301T173829Z CREATED:20230124T162625Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230301T173829Z UID:10000127-1677006000-1677009600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How to Bring Purim to Life for Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-bring-purim-to-life-for-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/How-to-Bring-Purim-to-Life-for-Granchildren_350x350px.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230307 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230308 DTSTAMP:20230130T152740Z CREATED:20230123T204905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T152740Z UID:10000062-1678147200-1678233599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Purim DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/purim-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Purim_March-7th-2023_350x350px.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230328T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230328T200000 DTSTAMP:20230315T145906Z CREATED:20230301T173915Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230315T145906Z UID:10000133-1680030000-1680033600@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:How to Bring Passover to Life for Grandchildren DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/how-to-bring-passover-to-life-for-grandchildren/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-to-Bring-Passover-to-Life-for-Grandchildren-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230405 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230406 DTSTAMP:20230315T160531Z CREATED:20230223T170223Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230315T160531Z UID:10000129-1680652800-1680739199@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Passover\, first seder DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/passover-first-seder/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Passover_first-seder_4.5.23.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230406 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230407 DTSTAMP:20230322T180425Z CREATED:20230223T170454Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230322T180425Z UID:10000130-1680739200-1680825599@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Passover\, first day DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/passover-first-day/ CATEGORIES:Holidays ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Passover_first-day_4.6.23.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230412 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230413 DTSTAMP:20230223T170605Z CREATED:20230223T170605Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T170605Z UID:10000131-1681257600-1681343999@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Passover\, last day (Reform) DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/passover-last-day-reform-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230413 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230414 DTSTAMP:20230223T170824Z CREATED:20230223T170824Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T170824Z UID:10000132-1681344000-1681430399@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org SUMMARY:Passover\, last day (Conservative) DESCRIPTION:By Dale V. Atkins\, Ph.D. \n \n \n \n Read a personal note from the author below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Your Love as a Grandparent Can Continue to Guide and Comfort Your Grandchildren — Even Across Time  \n \n \n \n Becoming a grandparent opens the heart in ways we never quite anticipate. There is joy in the giggles\, pride in small accomplishments\, wonder in watching a new life unfold. And\, with that joy often comes a quiet question many grandparents hold privately: When I am no longer here\, will my grandchildren still feel my love? Will I still be part of their lives when they face difficult moments? Jewish tradition offers a reassuring answer. Love does not end; it transforms. Through memory\, story\, ritual\, and shared experience\, a grandparent’s presence can continue to comfort\, guide\, and strengthen a child across a lifetime. From generation to generation — l’dor v’dor — love carries forward.  The good news is that this enduring connection is not built someday in the future. It is built now\, through small\, intentional actions that become lifelong emotional inheritance.  Here are practical ways to shape that legacy.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1. Be a safe harbor in hard moments \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the experience of being comforted in your presence. When your grandchild is upset: Sit close Hold their hand or put your arm around their shoulder Breathe calmly together or just be there in the moment Listen without rushing to fix In these moments\, your calm becomes their calm. Long after you are gone\, they will remember: When I was scared\, Grandpa helped me feel safe. That felt memory becomes an inner resource they carry for life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2. Teach simple comforting practicesGive children small tools they can use when life feels difficult: A quiet song you hum together A short bedtime blessing A breathing phrase: “Breathe in calm\, breathe out worry” A hand-holding or self-hug gesture These practices become emotional inheritance. One day\, when they use them on their own\, they will feel you beside them. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3. Create a symbol that represents your loveChildren understand symbols deeply. A shared symbol gives love a shape. A butterfly in the garden A star in the sky A small stone you both hold A drawing or note tucked away You might say:“When you see our butterfly\, remember that my love is always with you.”Symbols become quiet messengers of connection. Love gains wings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 4. Use the power of the senses \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Memory lives in scent\, sound\, taste\, and touch. Bake a favorite recipe together Wear a familiar perfume Sing a beloved song or Shabbat melody Walk the same path in nature Years later\, a scent or song will bring you instantly into the room again. This is how love becomes embodied memory. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 5. Tell them their family storyGrandparents are the living bridge to family history. You carry stories about who their parents were as children\, how your family came to be\, what traditions mattered\, what challenges were overcome. Share:  Stories of their parents growing up Family humor and mishaps Where ancestors came from What values guided your life Continue (or create) rituals and traditions around Jewish holidays and themes. These stories and practices give children roots — a sense that they belong to something larger than themselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 6. Notice and name their uniquenessChildren blossom when they feel truly seen. Tell them: “You are so thoughtful.” “I love how curious your mind is.” “You have such a kind heart.” When a grandparent names a child’s special qualities\, it becomes part of their inner identity. Long after you are gone\, your voice will still remind them who they are.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 7. Listen to them — and learn from them \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Connection flows both ways. When you listen deeply to your grandchildren — their ideas\, their worries\, their imaginative worlds — you send a powerful message: You matter. I learn from you. Ask: “What do you think about that?” “How do you handle something like that?” “Tell me more.” Children who feel heard grow into adults who trust relationships.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 8. Create “just ours” activitiesShared rituals become lifelong touchstones. Challah French Toast on weekend mornings A cozy bedtime story Gardening together Visiting a familiar park; sitting on the same bench Building or creating something side by side These become “our things” — portable memories children carry forward long after childhood ends. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 9. Model kindness and repairing the world \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jewish tradition teaches tikkun olam — helping to repair the world through acts of kindness and justice. Grandchildren learn values by watching how you live. Let them see you: Help neighbors Volunteer in the community Give tzedakah Treat others with dignity Your actions teach them: This is how we care for the world. That value will outlive any object you leave behind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 10. Speak openly about love continuingChildren need gentle honesty. You might say: “One day I won’t be here in the same way\, but our love will always stay with you.” “When you feel brave or kind\, feel that we are together.” These words prepare for continuity\, not fear. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afterthought \n \n \n \n The greatest gift you give your grandchildren is not something they can hold. It is the experience of being deeply loved\, deeply seen\, and deeply safe in your presence. That experience becomes their foundation. One day\, when they face a hard moment\, smell cinnamon\, hear a familiar song\, see a butterfly pass by — they will feel you nearby. And in that moment\, love will have done what it has always done in Jewish life: passed faithfully from generation to generation. May your love be their lifelong blessing. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Personal Note from the Author \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One of the most precious human experiences is staying connected with someone we love deeply\, even after they have died. A familiar scent\, a song\, a place\, or an experience can instantly transport us to a time when we felt comfort and peace. In those moments\, we realize that love does not end with physical presence; it becomes part of who we are. I learned this early in life. My maternal grandparents died when I was a toddler\, so I have no first-person memories of them. And yet\, I grew up feeling that I knew them. My mother kept their memories alive lovingly recalling incidents\, interests\, and unique personalities. As she shared stories\, she shared their values and by doing so\, I realize how their “presence” shaped my life. The bond you build now with your grandchild can endure long beyond your physical presence — becoming a source of comfort\, identity\, and strength throughout their life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I often find myself articulating specific descriptors of my experience: “I love our time together — having our adventures; creating art together\, listening to our favorite music\, teaching you the family recipes\, going through photo albums\, exploring in the woods\, making up silly songs\, having you teach me what you know.”  I sometimes add: “I hope you remember these fun times after I am gone.  Trust that I will always be with you — just in a different form. Quiet yourself and listen deep within.  Or just remember that you are part of a long line of people who loved art\, explored nature [fill in what suits you]. Think of me when you see a robin or a butterfly.” Dale Atkins\, PhD\, is a licensed psychologist\, author\, and public speaker with special interests in healthfully managing life’s challenges\, intergenerational relationships\, and caregiving. She is the author of the recently published The Turquoise Butterfly\, a celebration of eternal love and transformation\, beautifully illustrating the deep bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter.  Photographic CreditsBanner courtesy of Margie BogdanowGrandparent-grandchild talking by Stephanie FinkBaking courtesy of Debra WeinbergHug by Steven BergerEating cookies courtesy of PexelsSpaghetti by Abbie CelnikerVolunteering courtesy of Pexels URL:https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/event/passover-last-day-conservative-2/ CATEGORIES:Holidays END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR