Not Your Old Generation Grandparents Poem by Jim Yerman

From the moment we became grandparents we have felt conflicted
at the way, in books and media, grandparents are depicted.

But we've been grandparents for a while now
(one grandchild just graduated college)
So we believe it is time to share some grand-parental knowledge…

When a cartoonist draws a grandma her hair is invariably in a bun
If she's not wearing a sweater…chances are she's knitting one.

When she walks it's with a cane and we will forever take offense
how she's always wearing glasses and has no fashion sense

When a cartoonist draws a grandpa he is never very tall
His hair is a vibrant shade of gray or white…if he has any hair at all.

His plaid pants never match his shirt…his glasses are as thick as a window pane
He could be in a wheel chair or like Grandma…walking with a cane.

If you look around at grandparents today, you'll find us agile and nimble and spry
In fact you'll discover to your amazement those old stereotypes don't apply.

Deborah doesn't wear a muumuu…her hair is never in a bun,
If you ask our grandchildren what they think, they'll say their Nana's fun.

She's creative, she's compassionate, she's patient and I can verify
She's great with babies, loves to bake and sings a soothing lullaby.

As for me, though I am a little bald, I don't wear plaid pants, never would.
snd if I do say so myself, I make the clothes I wear look good.

I do not fish, don't watch much TV, I don't read the Farmer's Almanac
When my grandchildren ask to play football…guess who's the quarterback?

Deborah and I will try jumping rope, playing soccer and climbing trees too
because in this day and age, in our generation, that's what grandparents do!

We are a mix of old and new, we are much cooler and hipper than before
(Even though I'm pretty sure people don't say cooler or hipper anymore!)

We embrace some of the traits of our grandparents, yes the good ones have survived
but speaking for Deborah and the grandparents I know, a new generation has arrived!

So cartoonists when you draw Deborah draw her with style, grace and fun
And if you're drawing her baking cupcakes, make sure they're funky ones.

And when you take your pencils out don't draw me in a rocking chair
Instead…draw me climbing up a tree or in a top hat
and if you want…
you can add more hair.