As a mother of four amazingly wonderful grown daughters, the thought of grandchildren may pass through my mind from time to time. And, I may or may not have mentioned to our daughters how lovely it would be to have some grandchildren. Until I gave it serious thought and began comparing myself to my own grandparents.

This could be a problem. They had the grand parenting role down pat.

Weekends at Grandmother and Granddaddy's house were big fun. Grandmother and I went shopping on Saturday afternoons and stayed up late to watch Elvis movies on television. Sunday mornings we went to church and sat on the same pew. Every Sunday. And then, after lunch, Granddaddy would amaze me by peeling an apple with his pocket knife keeping the peel in one long circular piece.

In the summertime when I was lucky enough to spend weekdays with them, Grandmother let me help her serve little sandwiches, cakes and coffee to her Garden Club. And we would work out in the flower beds in her yard listening to the birds chirping and Grandmother would say, "Listen! That one is talking about you! Hear him? Prettygirlprettygirlprettygirl!"

Holidays at their house was a bustle of excitement, decorations, gifts and the best holiday baking in the world! Everything was made from scratch- 6 layer coconut, chocolate and pineapple cakes; homemade fudge; homemade cookies. The house was filled with the sweetest, warmest aromas for weeks before the holiday arrived. And I can still taste that ham on Christmas eve with cherries inside pineapple slices held on by whole cloves and smothered in a sweet honey and mustard glaze. There were so many presents under the tree that I couldn't even get close enough to reach the limbs! And Granddaddy, always clad in a red shirt, would walk in the living room to start the festivities.

I learned many valuable lessons from my grandparents. Lessons that did not involve money or material things but that were taught while an apple was being peeled or a cake was being baked; while decorating a Christmas tree or sitting at the table for a family gathering; while sitting in church, watching old Elvis movies on television or even by the wearing of a red shirt each year at Christmas.

Of course, I realize it wasn't the time of year or the celebrations we had that made it all so memorable. It was Grandmother and Granddaddy sharing their love that made these memories of family gatherings, laughter, and love precious enough to last a lifetime.

The bar has been set quite high but I think I'll be just fine. All I have to do is remember the love my grandparents showed me and share it with the next generation.