THE LOVE OF A GRANDFATHER

By Ryhaan Shah

Most of us who are grandparents know the joy that grandchildren bring to our lives especially as they grow up and start to navigate their world which is much different to the times in which we grew up. While there is change – such as the new technological age – there are values and traditions that continue to act as a bridge and a stabilising anchor to families and to society as a whole.
Grandfathers – whether aja, nana, or grandpa – often serve as that anchor for most families. They offer unconditional love, pass down rich family history, and act as a calming, mentoring presence that can help children build deep resilience and provide them with a sense of belonging. They stand as the root for many families.
Because they are often the bridge between the past and the present, their knowledge of ancestral history and cultural traditions can solidify their grandchildren’s heritage and sense of belonging.
It is often through the stories of their personal experiences that their grandchildren learn where they come from and get a real connection with their history. They offer a reference of a different time and this is where their grandchildren get a sense of their identity and roots, vital building blocks for every child’s development as a confident, self-assured person.
This kind of multigenerational bonding in families can create a strong and united family support system. While parents are often busy with work and focus on the daily discipline of their children, grandfathers can offer not only childcare support but have the time and emotional space to provide unconditional affection and a listening ear to their grandchildren.
Here in Guyana, there is a significant incidence of father absenteeism in some families and this is where grandfathers can step in to be the male role model, and a confidante and mentor especially for the boys in the family who most often model the behaviours and attitudes learned from male family members.
A grandfather’s lifetime of experience is often distilled as wisdom gleaned from a lived reality and first-hand knowledge, especially from the world of work, all of which can help their grandchildren navigate difficult choices and help them view challenges from a broader perspective.
Many grandfathers leave a lasting legacy of financial education for their children and grandchildren, instilling values of saving, investing, and practical economic planning for the future.
Their stories of overcoming hardships teach younger generations patience, perseverance, and critical thinking even as they are instrumental in passing down cultural heritage, moral values, and life lessons—such as hard work, patience, and resilience—across generations.
In a country that is undergoing rapid development and progress, such advice and teachings are critical for the success of both families and the nation as a whole. Many families trace their progress through the work, entrepreneurship, and financial acumen of their grandfathers who were often the ones who built the foundation for the family’s entry into business or professional life – and this often from scratch and without much, or any, formal education.
The presence of grandfathers – both maternal and paternal – provide rootedness, stability, and a whole lot of wisdom garnered from life experience, and their importance to family life has long been recognised by the major religions of the world.
The Bible speaks to the responsibility of passing down and leaving a lasting legacy of faith and godly wisdom and, in Proverbs 17:6 and 13:22, highlights the joy that grandchildren bring to family life.
In Hinduism, the grandfather acts as the emotional backbone, spiritual guide, and custodian of dharma within the extended family. He transitions from being the household provider to that of an elder statesman, imparting ancient wisdom, family values, and religious heritage to his grandchildren.
For Muslims, a grandfather holds a status that is practically equal to a father. He is deeply respected as a spiritual anchor, family historian, and source of unconditional love. Grandfathers are highly revered, and grandchildren have a religious duty to honour and respect them as elders.
It is said that grandfathers are teachers without classrooms and protectors without armour. They don’t just tell stories but live them with their grandchildren. Children who grow up knowing a grandfather who was always present, especially during challenging times, speak of feeling loved and deeply cherished.
Today, when we salute fathers on Father’s Day, we should also remember and offer our thanks to our grandfathers and most especially to those who are filling the role of both father and grandfather in homes where the father is absent. Happy Father’s Day to you all.