Monthly Grandparenting Column
by Karen Robbins

Yes, I am a shameless Ohio State Buckeye fan. It is my alma mater and my husband’s as well. Bob grew up in Columbus so, as they say, he “bleeds scarlet and gray.” Much excitement is generated in “old Columbus town” on football Saturdays but it doesn’t entirely involve passing or kicking a football. It often centers on an all brass band led by a drum major dressed in red. Nothing sends shivers up the spine like hearing the OSU marching band enter the stadium and watching the drum major high kick his way through the uniformed musicians, stop and arch his back until the plume of his hat touches the ground.

It’s tradition!

This year we traveled with the alumni group to New Orleans for the BCS Championship game. On Sunday, before the game, we knew there would be a band practice and we decided to find it so we could enjoy the music and the fun the band has in preparing for their performance. It was difficult to get information as to start time and location but we happened upon someone who was able to help—the drum majors’ grandfather!

There in McDonald’s sipping coffee on Sunday morning was a gentleman proudly wearing a cap that clearly showed he was a band supporter. Bob stopped and asked if he knew when and where the band practice was and he grinned widely.

“Are you going?” Bob asked.

“Of course!” The man took off his gray cap and turned it to the side so we could see the words stitched in red, “Drum Major Grandfather.”

He introduced himself, “Jay Pfeiffer.” Bob shook his hand, congratulated him, and thanked him for the information.

Later we learned that Stewart Kitchen grew up on his grandfather’s farm. Not only is there a tradition of attending Ohio State, but he’s also taken up the family’s tradition of farming. From his father and grandfather, he has learned horsemanship skills and dairy cattle management. He is now majoring in Food Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and hopes to put his education to good use to improve farming.

It made me think about how influential a grandparent can be in a child’s future. We have the time and patience to teach the skills that have been passed down to us. To pass on the family history. To pass on a legacy. What a valuable gift to share with our grandchildren—tradition.
Timothy, Paul’s young protégé in the Bible was taught at the knee of his mother and grandmother. They shared their faith with him. It was a faith rich in tradition they wanted to pass on. So you see there are many intangible things we can pass along to our grandchildren—our faith being one of them.

One more thing. Stewart says he found an old drum major baton in the closet on the farm. It belonged to an uncle. He started practicing secretly but then faced his family with his desire to be an OSU drum major. The family, he knew, would support him. After all, there was a tradition to be passed along here.

Keep your hearts open to your grandchildren. Share those traditions. It can only help to bind family together.

About the Author: Karen Robbins is a freelance writer and speaker. She and her husband love to travel and scuba dive. Many of their adventures are posted at her website, www.KarenRobbins.com.