Spoil the spoilers

Every year in May and June, department stores across the country saturate the airways with special advertisements and create panic among the masses. In response to these ads, thousands of desperate shoppers race to JCPenney, Macy's and other stores in search of the perfect Mother's Day or Father's Day gift. Battles are fought in the aisles of Wal-Mart, coupons are clipped fervently and "early bird" shoppers set their alarms to ring at 4 a.m., all for the love of their parents. \nThe National Retail Federation predicted in April that Americans would spend about $11 billion this year for Mother's Day alone. I'd say that is a sizable amount if you consider all the bouquets and Hallmark cards mothers get. I am all for flowers.com reaching its annual sales goals, but I can't help but wonder how much of its revenues are produced from the overlooked September holiday, Grandparent's Day. \nBelieve it or not, Grandparent's Day is a real holiday and not one I just made up. Former President Jimmy Carter actually proclaimed Grandparent's Day to be the first Sunday after Labor Day. It was Sept. 11 this year. \nIn the wake of this forgotten holiday, I can only feel a sense of guilt engulf my psyche. I got my mother a present for Mother's Day and, oddly enough, I bought her a gift for Father's Day as well, but on Grandparent's Day, my grandparents received nothing from me, not even a phone call. \nI knew a Grandparent's Day existed, but I never bothered to find out when it occurred. Don't blame just me. I do not recall seeing a Grandparent's Day Bonanza Sale at Penney's either. I hope the lack of enthusiasm displayed for Grandparent's Day does not serve as a gage for how this country feels about its grandparents. For the record, I love my grandparents, even though I failed to celebrate them this September. Whether or not people recognized this holiday is not the real issue. I do, however, sincerely hope that at some point during the year people take the time to thank the elderly members of their family. \nI know I am grateful for my grandparents. Many of my most fond memories come from time spent with them in South Carolina. I remember picking fruit with my grandma and helping her cook. I also remember sitting on my grandpa's lap while he read the paper and snuck me sips of his coffee before he went to work. I'm sure many people reminisce about their G-ma's and their Pa-Pa's like I do, but I bet we could all thank them a little more.\nSometimes the best part about grandparents is that whatever you do for them, they are always thankful. I know that calling my grandma just to say hi means more to her than if I went out and bought her something she probably won't use anyway. That's the thing. At that age, they are not looking for fancy store-bought presents or fruit baskets, they just want to know that their granddaughters and grandsons are safe and warm. Think about that next September.