Ronnie Freeman Jr. enjoying lunch with his grandmother, Mrs. Bobbie Patterson

By Dierdre Jones/Peabody Faculty

If you ask the students at Peabody Elementary about their greatest love, you are likely to hear them say, “My grandparents.”   Over a three day span the overwhelming visibility of grandparents was proof positive. More than 150 grandparents filled Peabody Elementary’s cafetorium to capacity. The special occasion, was our annual Grandparent’s Day Luncheon.

As each guest arrived they were welcomed with a visitor’s badge and a sweet treat by the school secretary, Mrs. Wilkes.   With all of the preliminaries out of the way, our special guests were then directed to the cafetorium to meet their grandchildren.

It was a heartwarming experience to watch the expressions of the students and grandparents as they caught each other’s eye upon entering the cafetorium. The grandparents were happy to be there and the smile on the students’ faces showed that the feeling was mutual.

According to Alison Webb’s grandfather, Mr. Alvin Ferguson, he has attended the Grandparent’s Luncheon for six years and has enjoyed it every year.  He not only enjoys eating with Alison but also seeing and talking to the teachers and staff.

Fourth grade student, Lauren Dunnam, was all smiles as she sat between her great grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz.  Her face is always aglow when she speaks of her weekly visits with them.  These are memories that Lauren will cherish forever.

Grandparent’s Day is “Grand” at Peabody Elementary School because our students appreciate and celebrate one of their greatest loves – Grandparents!

I would be remiss not to mention one of my greatest loves, my 94 year old Granny Annie Lou Johnson, to whom this article is dedicated.   There would be no me without you.