I believe my deep connection with her developed in large part because of my willingness to respectfully listen and appreciate her, even with all her quirks and unique personality traits. Listening to and telling stories are a vital part of the heritage and identity of a family, which is one of the reasons grandparents, and the close relationships between generations, are so important.

It’s been said that to understand a culture, look at what they celebrate and what they tolerate. What does a group of people value and not value? The stories of a community are a good place to look to gain understanding of what matters to them. Strong families and societies understand, celebrate and pass on beginnings and show honor and respect when things end. This includes people’s lives. For example, kids love hearing their birth stories and all the ups and downs of their first days. And resilient cultures have consistent and significant ways to acknowledge a person’s passing.

Tragically, our society often disrespects, disrupts and casts off both the sacred beginning and end of life. The Church and the pro-life movement have worked tirelessly to oppose affronts to human dignity, and the work must go on. There are many important and effective strategies for changing the culture on these issues (and praise God for the ways we are!), but I think one of the most important ways is to keep telling stories. Generously share the highs and lows of life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Let’s ask our elders about their experiences and invite our children to embrace God’s invitation to live in his grand narrative. I mean, who doesn’t love a good grandma story?