Grandparents Day Chapel Service Celebrates Family

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Grandparents and Family Celebration Day is always a special occasion at CCES. It's a day when pride beams from every face and, often, three generations of the same family share together in "the CCES experience."

While cookies, punch, and classroom visits were all part of the celebrations in the Middle and Upper Schools on October 20, what really makes the day special are the worship services held in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd to give thanks for the gifts of grandparents and family.

Following school tradition, speeches were offered at each of the services by both a grandparent and a student. The Upper School service featured a homily by Mrs. Billie Echols, former music teacher at CCES and mother of fourth-grader teacher Scottie Fowler ’79, and grandmother of Rick '09 and Rainey '14 Fowler. Senior Kendra Abercrombie offered the student appreciation.

In the Middle School, Mrs. Page Hoyle Scovil, former Christian education teacher at CCES, mother of Randolph ’72 and John Scovil ’73, and grandmother of Smedes ’08 and Elizabeth ’11, offered the homily from the grandparents' perspective. Eighth-grader Anderson Haney gave the student address.

In their guest homilies both grandparents remarked on the many changes in the school since their children attended CCES. But each also pointed out the constants they saw in both their children's and their grandchildren's experiences a generation later. Chief among these, they said, are the Christian values on which the school was built, and that have found such inspiring expression in the school's new chapel.

The students tried to express for the entire student body the affection and special bond they have felt with their grandparents. Below are excerpted some of their remarks.

Kendra Abercrombie Remembers Her Best Friend

"Even though in my lifetime I only had one living grandparent, I was lucky enough to have a special relationship with her. She was more than my grandmother. She was just like a mother, and she was my best friend.

"From the day that I was born until December 2004 when she passed, I spent every day of my life with her since both of my parents worked. Every day after school I would go to my grandma’s house and we would go over my homework, sometimes five or six times. Every week I couldn’t wait because I knew that every Friday we would go shopping, then come back home and clean the house and start cooking for Sabbath Church meals. Little did I know the life lessons that she was instilling in me. From our special Fridays I learned how to cook, how to clean and how to dress (as you all can tell).

"My grandma was my best friend. Whenever I got into trouble with my parents, she was right there to get me out. Whenever I needed her, she was right there to tell me that everything was going to be all right. I remember this one situation particularly when I first came to CCES. It was time for our first term exam and I had Mr. Titmas’ Biology Exam first, and I just felt I was in over my head, so I ran into her room and just started crying and crying. I told her that I didn’t think that I was going to be able to do this. She said, "Work hard, I’ll pray, and you pray, and everything will be all right." And although the Lord didn’t answer my prayers with a 100, I did pass the exam.

"Grandparents are a blessing to have. No matter how far away they are they are always there for you. They are loving, caring, generous and supportive (emotionally and financially)."

Kendra ended her speech by reading a poem by Mary Dawson Hughes called "A Grandmother’s Talent."

Anderson Haney's Grandparents: One Thing in Common
"I am lucky enough to have three sets of grandparents. Each one is unique in his or her own way. My grandfather 'Bob' puts Tabasco sauce on anything (and when I say anything, I mean anything!) When I was ten, he and my grandmother took me on a trip to Europe. That was one of the best trips I have ever taken.

"My grandmother is always there for a hug if I need one. I can’t wait to see them both in December when I go to their house in Arizona.

"My other grandparent lives on a small farm in Tennessee. He could spend all day driving around town in his big truck. When he is not driving around, he is probably admiring his two hot rod cars. He often tells me that someday I will get one of them.

"Last, but certainly not least, is my grandmother 'MiMi.' She is probably the most caring person I have ever met. She spends almost all of her time looking after her 83- year-old mother, who is currently in a nursing home. I don’t remember one day that she wasn’t by my great- grandmother’s side.

"My grandparents are all very different in many ways. But they all have something in common. They all love their grandkids very much."

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