Mining Parenting Memories on Grandparents’ Day

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children. ~Alex Haley

We have Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and we even have a Children’s Day. But this Sunday is Grandparents’ Day. You don’t hear much about that because most of us celebrate those grandmoms and granddads on Mother’s and Father’s Day. Besides most grandparents celebrate the joy of having grandchildren every day. But I thought this would be a great time to invite my writing friend, Carlton Hughes, over to talk about his new devotional book that celebrates the joys of fatherhood with humor and spiritual insight . This book would make a great Christmas present to any family member or friend, but maybe especially to a dad or granddad you know. And we’re giving away a copy of the book. Read Carlton’s post and then find out how to enter your name in the drawing for a copy Adventures in Fatherhood.

Welcome, Carlton. Tell us why you and your friend, Holland Webb decided to write this book.

“When mothers (and fathers) talk about the depression of the empty nest, they’re not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They’re upset because they’ve gone from supervisor of a child’s life to a spectator. It’s like being the Vice President of the United States.”—Erma Bombeck

Erma hit the nail on the head with this quote, didn’t she? (And the political punchline was hers, not mine.) My wife and I are empty nesters, and it is certainly a tough transition—not seeing our kids everyday, not rushing from practice to practice, not constantly stocking up on snack food (Wait a minute, we still do that . . . for me!).

How did I deal with the emptiness of the empty nest? I wrote a book about fatherhood. Doesn’t everyone?

I actually co-authored, with my pal Holland Webb, a devotional book called Adventures in Fatherhood. In it, Holland and I tell stories of being a father “in the trenches” in the hope of inspiring fathers (and mothers) on the journey. Other fathers like us, who have essentially finished raising their kids, can also benefit from the encouraging tales and will be able to reminisce about those crazy times with their kids.

I’ll never forget when I heard that we were actually getting a publishing contract to do the book. My younger son was a month away from getting married, so my older son, some cousins and uncles and I were having a little “bachelor celebration” at an indoor amusement park. We were eating lunch when I got the call from my agent. I wanted to scream for joy and do a cartwheel, but, since my well-past middle-age body will not allow me to do a cartwheel, I motioned for my sons.

“Good news, I’m writing a book about you! If that’s okay . . .”

I held my breath and waited for their responses, and, thankfully, they were happy, too. We enjoyed the rest of our day together, and then I rushed home—I had half a book to write!

“Mining my memories” for stories about my sons was a cathartic experience. I relived many good, funny times and a few hard ones as well. People deal with the empty nest syndrome in their own ways, in their own timing. The main thing is to maintain a connection and to nurture the new type of relationship that forms.

And I have heard having grandchildren is a wonderful thing. I haven’t experienced that yet, but maybe someday. For now, I’ll relish the memories made with my children. If I forget, I can just read the book!

Thanks, Carlton. Trust me, grandparenting is fun, but sounds as if you have had plenty of fun being a dad to a couple of boys and so has Holland.

Here’s my review of Adventures in Fatherhood – Gleaning Joy from Everyday Parenting Moments

“Much of what is sacred is hidden in the ordinary, everyday moments of our lives.” This quote from Ken Gire and inserted in the pages of Adventures in Fatherhood expresses exactly what Carlton Hughes and Holland Webb have done in this delightful devotional book. They’ve gleaned inspiring thoughts and life lessons from the ordinary moments of parenthood. The devotional thoughts are great, and the interaction between dads and sons can make you smile and laugh while nodding your head and saying yes, that’s just how dads and sons are. But the stories are fun and touching at times for moms like me too. I read the short devotionals several at a time and enjoyed the quotes interspersed among them. Having the two dads write every other devotional entry kept things fresh as they shared those everyday moments. The book is even inviting to look at with the campground cover and that neat ribbon to keep your place. If you need a sweet present for a dad or a granddad or for anyone who likes dipping into a feel good book, this would be a great gift. Then again, sometimes you simply need to give yourself some smiles and good thoughts too. I think this book is one you might enjoy. I did.

To be in a drawing to win a copy of Adventures in Fatherhood, just leave a comment here on this post, but you must leave your comment  on this post to enter.  I’ll pick the winner via a random number drawing and contact you by e-mail to let you know if you win. Deadline to enter is next Sunday, September 20, 2020 at midnight EST.

Then watch for a new caption giveaway game on Wednesday and a newsletter coming next weekend with some book news and a birthday month giveaway. Yes, I’m blessed to be tacking on another year next week, but I think I’ll quit counting them up. 🙂

Have you ever had an adventure in parenthood or as a grandparent?

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. At different times of the week, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate–all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb and released by the Ellie Claire imprint of Worthy/Hachette Publishing: http://bit.ly/AdventuresInFatherhoodBook