GRAND Magazine has announced this year’s winners and 10 finalists of their 2011 GRANDparent of the Year contest.
Drum roll please …
Mike and Nancy Conley are the 2011 GRANDparents of the Year. They have three adult children and four grandchildren. Recently, their 30-year old daughter passed away and left an 8-year old daughter. Nancy decided to retire from her full time job so that she could stay home and take care of their granddaughter, Gracie.
The Conley’s son, Jeff, nominated his parents because “This act of self-sacrifice goes above and beyond the responsibilities of a grandparent and embodies love, dedication and putting the grandchild’s needs before their own.”
He explained that when he grew up, his grandmother lived with the family. She had multiple sclerosis and was confined to a wheelchair. He now realizes the sacrifices they made and why he wanted to honor his parents.
“They have shown what loving and taking care of each other looks like. They don’t question. They do what needs to be done. They give fully; serve humbly; and love completely.”
GRAND also chose ten finalists and I’m thrilled to announce that my nomination, Julie Matsushima, was one of the ten. Julie spoke at our July GaGa Sisterhood meeting about the incredible journey she began 14 years ago when one of her twin granddaughters was born with cerebral palsy. She chronicles their journey in For the Love of Aimee, which was published in March 2011.
But the biggest surprise of all was learning that my daughter and two granddaughters wrote a very sweet essay nominating my husband and me for the contest as well. Their essay completely melted our hearts. We also made the top ten finalists!
To read more about all the winners click on the September/October issue of GRAND.
To all my readers, I’m offering a free subscription to GRAND Magazine worth $19.95 for 12 issues. This will give you instant access to the current issue and archives, plus each new issue will be delivered right to your inbox.
Happy Grandparents Day to all of you!
Congratulations to you and your husband, Donne! It sounds as if you were part of a very distinguished field. Mike and Nancy and Julie also sound like amazing grandparents. There are so many wonderful grandparents out there.