Gulf Coast Family

“Will you write a column about grand-parenting?” Well, of course we will! What grandparent wouldn’t take the opportunity to brag about their family? We are the Lancasters, Joy and Jerry and we are THRILLED to be able to invite you, our neighbors, to join us each month into a very important corner of our world. We always said we wouldn’t be like other grandparents who are always showing off pictures of their grandchildren — but you know what, WE ARE! We love our grandchildren, and of course everyone needs an opportunity to see their beautiful faces!

Let us start out by telling you about our family. We were married August 29th, 1970 right here in Pinellas County. After six years, our home was blessed, through adoption, with our first daughter, Keri Anne who now lives in Missouri with her husband, John, and her four children, Julie (6), Riker (4), Katie (2 1⁄2) and Gage (6 months). Two years after Keri’s adoption, we were blessed, through birth, with our second daughter, Kristen Joy. Kristen lives in Clearwa- ter with her husband, Andrew, and their little girl, SaraRose Joy who is 5 months old. After four more years, we were blessed with our third daughter, Erika Kathleen who lives in Pompano Beach with her husband, John. They are expecting our sixth grandchild to be born any day now.

One of the joys of being a grandparent is in “taking time to stop and smell the roses”. We can already see “Grammy and Grampy” traditions that are beginning to be a part of our grand- children’s world. Trips to Dairy Queen, popcorn and movie parties, campouts in the living room and best of all, PJ day – where everyone gets to wear their PJs all day long. As grandparents, there is also nothing quite like just having a little chat with the children; like a few weeks ago when Riker asked, “Grammy, why do you have those cracks around your eyes?”

While we do enjoy very much the opportunities to spoil our grandchildren, our greatest joy at this stage in our lives is in watching OUR children as parents. Admiring the attention, faith, and love that they pour out on their children and watching them train the children to love God and others. Just like we and all other parents have done, they will make mistakes; but it is our prayer that they will learn from their mistakes, learn from their kids and grow close together as a family. Well, these are just a few of our thoughts about being grandparents and we look forward to sharing more with you in the future!

Grammy & Grampy Lancaster