My seven grandchildren (number eight is on the way) never cease to amaze me. Just when I think they can’t get any funnier or more adorable — they do!

Recently, I had the opportunity to assist my daughter-in-law, Katie, as she unpacked the moving trucks for her mother, who was relocating from Kentucky to Pennsylvania. After unwrapping box number 25, we had quite the mountain of crumpled packing paper heaped on the floor. My four-year-old grandson, Oliver, was having the time of his life, running across the room and leaping into the pile like it was a mound of fall leaves.

At the end of the day, we gathered all the paper, packed it into large boxes, and carried it to the garage. As soon as we finished, Katie told Oliver to put on his shoes so we could head home. To our surprise, he instantly burst into tears. Through choked sobs, he managed to say, “My shoes were in the paper pile, and they were my favorite shoes, just like Daddy’s!”

There was no consoling him, so Katie and I braced ourselves for the cold garage and began the arduous task of sifting through 25 boxes of crumpled paper. It took quite a while, but at last, both shoes were recovered, and Oliver was once again a happy boy.

Oliver’s five-year-old sister, Sloan, gave us another moment of laughter when she examined the February calendar on the refrigerator. She noticed some writing on the 12th and asked what it was since she knew all her cousins’ birthdays were highlighted. Her mother told her it was Lincoln’s birthday, to which Sloan innocently replied, “Are we invited to his birthday party?” She was so used to attending birthday celebrations for friends and classmates that she assumed this was just another one!

Luca, my youngest grandson, who is two years old and lives in Philadelphia, easily takes the prize for cuteness with his enthusiastic rendition of Fly, Eagles, Fly. He knows every word and belts out the E-A-G-L-E-S chant with uncontainable excitement. But his sense of humor is just as impressive — he had all the adults in stitches when he reached inside his daddy’s shirt, patted his chest, and declared, “There’s a forest in there!” Let’s just say my three boys are blessed with an abundance of hair!

A few weekends ago, my six-year-old grandson, Declan, and his four-year-old brother, Connor, came for a visit. After an afternoon of sledding down our hill, their parents decided to take advantage of Nana and Blain being available and went out for a rare date night. We had a fun evening of pizza and a movie — Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — before bedtime.

After reading about half a dozen books, thus delaying bedtime, Declan looked at me sweetly and asked if we could snuggle before sleep. That request was a dream come true for Nana! I nestled beside him, savoring the moment, my heart full. But just as I was getting comfortable, he opened his eyes, looked at me, and said matter-of-factly, “Nana, you can go now.” Just like that, I was dismissed!

Thankfully, my self-esteem was restored the next day when Declan enthusiastically declared that our visit was “one of the best days of his life.” Perhaps a bit of an overstatement–but I’ll gladly take it!

Meanwhile, his brother, Connor, has a larger-than-life alter ego, fierce dinosaur named Fireball. When his mother warned him to slow down on the raisins or risk a stomachache, he confidently shot back, “My stomach is indestructible.” Clearly, Fireball doesn’t fear digestive consequences!

Another humorous moment occurred at church while I admired my four-year-old granddaughter Blair’s new shoes. They were fancy–black patent leather with rhinestone bows, green flying monkeys on the heels, and green soles, inspired by the movie Wicked.

Curious, I asked her, “Are they from Glinda or Elphaba (characters from the movie)?” She cocked her head to the side, puzzled, before replying, “Nana, they came from Target.”

That lighthearted exchange gave way to a more sentimental moment when I glanced down the pew and saw my son with his daughters — one cradled in his arms. Overcome with emotion, I reached out and gave his hand a quick squeeze. Three generations together in that moment, filling my heart with indescribable joy.

After church, we went out for lunch, where I got to experience the endless entertainment of my seven-year-old granddaughter, Saylor, and her newest acquisition — a knock-knock joke book. The only pause in the constant stream of jokes came when both girls and I took a trip to the restroom, where we played I Spy in the stall. I’m sure our table wondered what in the world had taken us so long!

What an important role we play as grandparents. We have the privilege of loving our grandchildren without the daily pressures of parenting. We get to be the fun ones, while their parents handle the rules and responsibilities. We can let them stay up late, eat too much chocolate, and twirl around the house in fancy dresses without a care in the world.

Most of all, we have the incredible gift of watching our children become parents — passing down traditions, recipes, and life lessons just as we once did. And in those sweet, fleeting moments — whether it’s a bedtime snuggle, a Sunday morning in church, or a shared joke over lunch — we are reminded that grandparenting isn’t just a role. It’s a blessing.

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Rhonda S. Kelley is the executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.