Nov. Editor’s Notes

Posted on November 2, 2013 by bob in EdNote

With all the international hoopla over deciphering human DNA – the genetic sequencing known as the Genome Project – I’m surprised, and a bit disappointed, the hardworking scientists and lab assistants responsible for such a monumental breakthrough overlooked one critical element.

This forgotten strand of DNA is known to millions all over the globe, but it’s likely none were consulted as the Genome Project reached its miraculous conclusion. The overlooked, forgotten, or possibly misplaced DNA sequence is known by those of us who carry it as GSG; the “Grandparent Silly Gene.”

It’s obvious when this gene emerges, since there are telltale clues to its rise.  Among the symptoms, uh… signs, of the GSG are quirky faces, exaggerated smiles, wide-eyed looks and odd noises most people would never think of doing in private, much less in public.

My husband and I used to see the GSG activate in others. At the time, being without grandchildren, we thought such behavior beyond strange and bordering on, well, silly. But with a grandchild, the GSG kicks in and all bets are off regarding social decorum and personal embarrassment.

I sing nursery rhymes to our granddaughter, both the old standards from our youth and some my Yiayia taught me in Greek. Never one to lie on the floor,  now you’ll likely find me prone, on the carpet, whenever our granddaughter is around. My husband, whom I fear has more than a double helix’s worth of the GSG, brings a harmonica along when we go to visit. It’s music, of a sort, but consider how the newly-introduced-to-the-world little person sees it. It’s likely their first introduction to that sound, and a true learning experience. (Or so my husband claims.)

Whistling? Sure. Hand clapping? Certainly. Twisting your hands to climb a water spout as a spider, only to get washed away in the end? Definitely. Peek-a-booing around the corner of the couch? For sure.  Anything to bring a smile or a laugh. We’re comedians with an audience of one, and her laughter rings louder for us than a filled auditorium.

Every grandparent knows about the GSG, as do the parents of those grandchildren. These parents may think the accumulated years we’ve amassed (some call it age) is a factor in the emergence of the GSG, and who are we to argue? But an additional contributor to the manifestation of the GSG is the fact that we, grandparents, have no routine, day-to-day responsibility for the child. That’s the parents’ job. We did it. They can do it. Leave the fun parts for us!

Grandparents can be silly, making faces and funny noises. But there’s another side to the GSG every grandparent accepts without question. Putting aside the antics, we all know, as do our children, we are there as first responders, on stand-by for any situation in which we can help.  Any time, any day.

That’s what grandparents are for.

Sandra Polizos, Editor