Additional Coverage:
- My grandparents are 87 and 90 years old. They still babysit my 7 kids, and host an annual cousin sleepover every year. (businessinsider.com)
A Grandparental Powerhouse: 90 and 87-Year-Old Duo Still Hosting Great-Grandchild Sleepovers
A local mother of seven shares the heartwarming story of her grandparents’ unwavering presence and incredible energy in their great-grandchildren’s lives, proving that age is truly just a number when it comes to family.
[City, State] – In an age where many families are spread far and wide, one local family boasts a truly remarkable bond with their matriarch and patriarch. Lauren Brusie, a mother of seven, regularly sees her 87-year-old grandmother, Doris, and 90-year-old grandfather, Jerry. But this isn’t just a weekly visit; this dynamic duo is deeply embedded in the lives of their 14 great-grandchildren, even hosting annual sleepovers for nine of them!
“Last year, my 87-year-old grandmother, Doris, and 90-year-old grandfather, Jerry, hosted nine of their 14 great-grandchildren for a Christmas sleepover at their house,” shared Brusie. This cherished tradition, which includes cookies, ice cream, playful wrestling, and movie nights, culminates with Doris and Jerry cheerfully cooking breakfast for everyone the following morning.
Brusie, 34, marvels at their boundless energy. “They are the most joyful, generous, busy, and amazing people I know,” she expressed, highlighting their constant presence throughout her own childhood.
From attending every game and school event to spending weekends and summers together, her grandparents were always there. This dedication has seamlessly extended to their great-grandchildren, including Brusie’s own seven children.
“Just like I can’t remember a day in my own life without my grandparents in it, neither do my kids,” Brusie remarked. Doris and Jerry were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first great-grandchild and have remained a steadfast support system ever since. The family even lived next door to them for a few years, fostering daily interactions and making the grandparents the children’s go-to babysitters.
Despite a move, the grandparents continue to visit weekly, call the children, attend their sporting events, and even help with school and practice runs. A beloved tradition involves taking each great-grandchild out for a special birthday lunch and shopping trip, a one-on-one experience that even saw them bend their “four-year-old minimum” rule for two eager three-year-olds.
Brusie attributes their incredible health and vitality not just to genetics, but to their infectious joy and love for people. “They always have something going on with others, whether it’s hanging out with their camping club, golf leagues, bowling leagues, card nights, casino trips, or following us kids around,” she explained. “They’ve always just worked hard and enjoyed life.”
The unique depth of this relationship is not lost on Brusie. “I’m aware of how unique this is, and I’ve never taken a moment with them for granted,” she said.
She makes a conscious effort to capture these precious moments through photographs, ensuring her children will always remember “how truly blessed and loved they were by these amazing people.” Prioritizing visits and continuing traditions like “malt nights” are key to maintaining this invaluable connection.
Brusie admits she’s hard-pressed to find another family with such actively involved great-grandparents. Doris and Jerry’s dedication extends beyond Brusie’s immediate family, as they travel across the state to visit other cousins and their children. “I know my cousins feel the exact same way I do about our grandparents: they are the most incredible people we know, and we’re so lucky to have them.”
Reflecting on her childhood, Brusie acknowledges that it took having her own children to fully grasp the extraordinary nature of her relationship with her grandparents. “They are truly one of a kind,” she affirmed, drawing inspiration from their joy and resilience.
When asked about their secret, Doris humbly states that they spend so much time with their family simply because they love them. Both grandparents attribute their energy and longevity to “luck” and hope their legacy will be remembered as people who were “good to them and loved them.” Based on Brusie’s heartfelt account, it’s safe to say, “mission accomplished!”