I was a struggling reader when I was growing up. I couldn’t see pictures in my head when I read—just words I couldn’t pronounce. But when my parents read to me or my Grandma Widdifield told me one of her creative stories, I could visualize the characters and experienced a love of books.

My Grandpa Harris, an avid fan of the library, took my little brother and me to the Danville, IN public library. We walked from their house through the little town to the library. We were each allowed to select two books to take home. On the way back we would stop by Dairy Queen and get a treat. Then we would go back to the house and “read” our books. I loved checking out books at the library. I felt grown up when I got my first library card.

I am passionate about music—listening to it, playing it on my guitar, and sharing it with others. I love a wide taste in music from R&B to seventies soft rock, hip hop to Americana, and jazz to alternative rock. Music is visceral for me. And since my husband passed away, it has been my constant companion throughout the day.

What does this have to do with being a grandparent? Everything. Sharing your love of music with grandchildren can introduce them to singing, dancing, listening, and playing an instrument.

Education is very important to my family. My maternal grandparents went to college, Grandpa to become a minister and Grandma to be a teacher. My paternal grandma had a scholarship to art school, but turned it down to work to support her family. Their farm was taken by the bank during The Great Depression. My paternal grandpa also had to work to support his family during The Great Depression. He was unable to attend college, but he attended trade school to become a draftsman. Both sets of my grandparents wanted more for their children and encouraged each to attend college. Everyone did.

When I was a kid in the 1960s, my favorite holiday was Christmas. I loved watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, decorating our tree, and listening to my dad read The Night Before Christmas before sleeping in my brother’s bunk bed as we awaited Santa’s arrival.

My dad was in the Air Force, so we learned to celebrate Christmas, or any holiday, when we were all together. Sometimes he was away for a holiday or birthday, but the date never mattered as much as the day and time we spent together. If we were lucky, our grandparents would visit, or we would travel to Indiana to celebrate.

When I was little, my favorite thing to do was visit my grandparents each summer. My dad was in the Air Force, and we lived a minimum of 12 hours away, so trips were rare and very special. This was the 1960s—30 years before texting and 40 years before video calling. To stay connected in between visits we made short phone calls. Back then, long distance phone conversations cost more than a tank of gas. Writing a letter was cheaper, but the post office took weeks to deliver a letter or card. It was a struggle to stay connected with my grandparents, but we did.

If you have graduated to grandparent, congratulations and welcome to the best part of parenting life.

The purpose of My Audience of One is to inform grandparents about the joys and perils of grand-parenting. I share my own experiences, stories about grandparents and great grandparents doing unique activities with their grandchildren, and, when needed, solicit advice from experts.