Getting old is happening faster than I imagined. I knew we would; it’s what’s supposed to happen in life if all goes well. I’m not suggesting I’m shocked every morning at the wrinkled old lady who greets me in the mirror. But I am.

Oil of Olay, you lied to us.

As a child, I would look lovingly into the face of my maternal grandmother and think, “She has fried chicken skin.” Guess who has it now? Darn those Irish genes.

The good news is that it is also happening to my darling spouse, who is also feeling its effects. Whenever he misplaces something, he loudly tells anyone in earshot, “Don’t get old.” I had to finally ask him to stop saying this as he is giving us old farts a bad rep, and I don’t like the alternative anyway.

One of our granddaughters has been showing me her gymnastic prowess lately. She was performing cartwheels and backbends all over the yard. “Can you do a cartwheel gramma?” Heck yeah, I can and proceeded to make an ugly scene that resembled a chalk outline of a dead body. Okay, maybe I could a few years, err, decades ago.

What my mind assumes I can execute and what comes out of my limbs is unpredictable. I’ve been warned to stay off ice skates and bicycles as those usually get me an expensive ride in an ambulance that drops me off at the ICU.

So, how do we embrace this time in our lives as we look ahead towards eternity and positively impact those who are years away from the dreaded wrinkle?

Mark and I recently attended a Grandparents’ Retreat offered for the first time by the St. Paul Center. Some of our favorite speakers whom we have followed for decades are now coincidentally grandparents themselves. How did that happen? Dr. Scott Hahn and his wife Kimberly, as well as Jeff and Emily Cavins, spoke of the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy for our grandchildren. Dan and Linda Spencer, founders of Legacy of Faith, an organization that helps grandparents influence the faithfulness of their grandchildren, also spoke.

We found the retreat to be an inspirational reminder of the importance and influence we can have in the lives of our family members, especially our grandchildren. When marketing campaigns shout at the gray-haired crowd to self-indulge, see the world, or golf until the coyotes howl, this retreat reminded us that we also have a part to play in nourishing the spiritual life of our grandchildren.

This ensures sound, moral and holy members of society, as well as future saints for decades to come.

Sharing the experiences of growing up Catholic, memorable moments—both challenging and rewarding—and how God is active in our lives are good places to begin. It’s less about sitting down and cracking open the Catechism with a four-year-old and more about accompaniment, prayer, and willingness to have deep conversations as they grow. It means 7 trust, listening non-judgmentally, and lovingly engaging them.

Faith is a personal act …You have not given yourself faith as you have not given yourself life. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. Our love for Jesus and for our neighbor impels us to speak to others about our faith. Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers. I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith I help support others in the faith.

CCC166

So, just because our kids are now in the hot seat doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. All these wrinkles and silver hair earned through stupidity, have eventually lead to growth in wisdom. I like to think I am finally growing wiser, and loving God and my neighbor with more devotion and integrity. And yes, I’ve learned a few things along the way—holy things, Catholic things, and great life lessons to pass along to the kiddos.

While the old gray matter is mostly firing on all cylinders, we need to continue these important conversations with them. Why? Because they have the power to change lives and impact how they deal with future challenges. We can fortify their faith, hope, and love in God and remind them about the heavenly host praying for them and at their disposal for the asking. They are never alone, unloved, or abandoned. That is a priceless legacy we can entrust to them.

If you are feeling inadequate for the task, fear not. There are a plethora of learning opportunities you can engage in from the comfort of your home or local parish. St. Paul Center, Dynamic Catholic , Ascension Press and Bible in a Year Podcast are just a few great places to check out. Prayer is critical and softens hard hearts. It isn’t about knowing all there is to know about God; it is about being willing and unafraid to begin sharing.

For some, it might be difficult if your own son or daughter has fallen away and doesn’t want you to speak to the kids about the faith. Pray and ask Mother Mary to intercede and make a way. Pray also to their patron saints and the Holy Spirit to give you the words to soften their hearts.

And because I can :-), I offer another shameless plug and invitation for you to consider purchasing the new book, Cloud of Witnesses, for yourself or for a great gift to give. It is a wellspring of profound personal stories of saints in the lives of each author and a wonderful way to introduce others to the saints. I had the honor of writing chapter 8 on St. Martha, a saint I have strived to emulate for decades. It is perfect for converts too or for anyone wanting to read about real-life experiences in the lives of various saints and how they can assist us in times of need. It is also appropriate for kids 12 years and up.

Order here.