365 Squarey Monsters: What I Learned From My Grandparents

Sunday, August 31, 2025

What I Learned From My Grandparents

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Not so long ago, it was common for multiple generations to live in the same neighborhood or even under the same roof. Grandparents weren't occasional visitors; they were part of the daily rhythm, helping raise kids, cook meals, and share their stories around the dinner table.

Today, that kind of closeness is harder to come by. As careers take families across the country or around the world, it's not unusual for grandparents and grandchildren to be separated by hundreds of miles or more. Video calls help, but they can't replace small everyday moments.

I often think about what's lost when the extended family becomes overextended. It's the small rituals and spontaneous conversations where love is felt, wisdom is shared, and the next generation learns what matters most.

With Grandparents Day coming up next Sunday, I've been thinking about my own grandmas and grandpas. Though they've been gone for years, their wisdom, love, and example still guide me. If you're lucky enough to still have grandparents in your life, I hope you'll use the occasion to bring them a little closer while there's still time.

What my grandparents taught me

My wife Marylou and I are lucky to live near our seven grandkids and be part of their lives. I was fortunate to grow up that way, too. My grandparents weren't strangers I only saw on holidays. They were part of our day-to-day life.

One of my fondest memories goes back to early morning fishing trips with Grandpa Charlie, my grandmother's second husband and a man who never met a fish he didn't want to catch. We'd head out on the Captain Rod, a charter boat that launched from Captree Fishing Station on the east end of Long Island's Jones Beach. Sometimes we caught fish, but the real catch was the ritual of doing something together.

What really made those mornings special were the bacon-and-egg sandwiches served hot on toasted English muffins, wrapped in foil, and tucked into our bags like precious cargo. To this day, that combo still brings me back. In fact, I had one last week!

My Grandma McCann opened my eyes in a different way. She'd take me into The City, a.k.a. Manhattan, riding the bus and hopping on the E train like seasoned commuters. Our adventures included stops at museums, big department stores, and, best of all, a sit-down meal at Tad's Steaks. (Tad's sadly closed in 2020.) I still remember those $5 steaks sizzling on metal trays.

These trips felt like big adventures. Looking back, I realize how much those moments expanded my view of life and helped prepare me for the world beyond my neighborhood.

Now it's our turn. Marylou and I are on a mission to make sure our grandkids remember us through the stories we tell and the time we spend together. It's a gift to have a ringside seat to their lives as they grow. We're blessed our three kids are all wonderful parents!

These days, I take my grandkids fishing or into the city. And every time, I think of Grandpa Charlie, Grandma McCann, and the conversations we shared on our adventures. Back then, I didn't realize just how special those moments were, but now I see the magic in them. They showed me the world through their eyes and encouraged me to keep looking beyond the horizon.

The finger wag that made a difference

But it wasn't just outings and treats. My grandmother also taught me about integrity. Years ago, when I was still building 1-800-Flowers, the business hit a rough patch. I sat at my parents' kitchen table (which also served as my dad's office) and considered bankruptcy.

When I shared this with my grandmother, she gave me a classic Irish finger wag and said firmly, "We don't do that." There was no further debate or explanation, just clarity and conviction.

Her words and belief in doing the right thing stuck with me, and I still think of her finger wag when I need to make hard decisions, often in the moments when no one's watching.

(All this reminiscing reminds me of a funny birthday coincidence. Every year around my birthday in late July, both of my grandmothers would send me a card. And, somehow, without fail, they always picked the exact same one even though they bought them without any coordination!)

Grandparents get better with age

While today's grandparents may not live as close as they once did, they do have something earlier generations rarely enjoyed: more time. When I was growing up, 60 felt old. Now, it feels like the start of something new. Thanks to healthier living and improved medical care, many grandparents are staying active and involved well into their 70s, 80s, and beyond.

That gift of time can mean more memories and more chances to show up for the people we love. This week, I've shared a few memories of my own grandparents and the impact they had on my life. Next Sunday, for Grandparents Day, I'll be sharing some of the stories that came in from you. There's still time to share a story. Email me at celebrationspulse@1800flowers.com.

As Grandparents Day approaches, let's honor the past, celebrate the present, and do our part to keep those bonds strong well into the future.

All the best,

Jim

After his father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, filmmaker Nick Budabin interviewed him on camera about his life story. He passed away two days later. Nick turned this into a short film so he and his family could always see him. That personal project was the inspiration for Keepsake Documentaries, a company that helps families preserve their stories through film.

In this week's Celebrate Your Story, Nick shares how storytelling can help with healing, why every life is worth documenting, and how music, interviews, and personal touches bring these films to life. He also shares moving client stories, advice for families thinking about legacy projects, and his vision for the future of personal documentaries.

Whether you've recently lost someone or simply want to honor a loved one's legacy, Nick's journey is a moving reminder: The best time to preserve your story is now

Holding onto the spirit of summer

Happy Labor Day! While this weekend may mark the "unofficial" end of summer, it doesn't have to mark the end of how summer makes us feel.

In a recent Celebrations Pulse, I wrote about why summer always seems to pass in a flash — and how psychologists tell us that time feels longer when we fill our days with newness and variety. It's not just the weather that makes summer feel different but how we live during these months.

Labor Day invites us to reflect on that rhythm and carry it with us into the months ahead.

Maybe that means taking a different route on your walk, sharing a slow meal with a friend, or simply noticing the feel of crisp air as the seasons shift. If we stay curious, open, and intentional, that summer feeling doesn't have to end.

The rituals that make back-to-school special

The return to school always brings a mix of excitement, nerves, and meaningful rituals. For many families, it's a moment to mark a new chapter.

Last week, I asked the Celebrations Pulse community to share your favorite back-to-school rituals. Thousands of you responded. The most popular? First-day-of-school photos (20%). That quick snapshot by the door becomes a time capsule that captures not just the start of a school year but a moment in a child's life we'll look back on for years. To take this ritual a step further, one community member said she likes to photograph her kids on the last day of school wearing the same clothes so they can see how they had grown.

Other top picks included back-to-school shopping (17%), choosing a first-day outfit (16%), and meeting the teacher or attending back-to-school night (16%). I remember those days with my own kids — checking off supply lists, hunting for the perfect backpack, and maybe finding a new pair of sneakers to start the year off right.

What struck me most was how universal these small rituals are. Across backgrounds and generations, we all look for ways to show our kids and grandkids that they're loved, supported, and ready to take on what's next.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

What I Learned From My Grandparents

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