Grandparenthood. An incredible ride!

And as we mark Grandparents Day on Sept. 13 and celebrate the ginormous roles grandparents can play with our youngest generation, let’s not forget the flip side: life-enhancing perks these amazing little creatures can shine on us, as well.

So, special thanks to my dear granddaughter, Kennedy, for her many wonderful gifts:

• Holding hands when walking together — a bond that’s the best part of any day.
• Launching new life to corny old dad — now fun grandpa jokes: Knock, knock …
• Sooooo easily making friends on the playground — some lessons here for us all.
• Infusing high-octane mojo for staying fit and healthy in this fourth quarter of life.
• Stretching my ability and agility — especially when the floor turns to lava.
• Sometimes dubbing me: Bro. Always makes me feel like a totally younger dude.
• Magically repurposing any immaculate room into fairytale princess palaces.
• True passion for the purple ukelele — despite channeling a young Ringo Starr on drums.
• Smashing world records for tape usage with the latest artistic treasures.
• Always asking, in such a sweet angelic way, for the first taste of my frozen yogurt — then devilishly denying any clue as to the missing cherries — every FroYo Friday.
• The gleeful swagger, “You’re going down!” banter — kiddingly forecasting another one of my long tic-tac-toe (and UNO) losing streaks.
• Wild youthful enthusiasm for this septuagenarian to scale the rock wall at the local water park.
• Generously oversharing on bodily functions and bodaciously calling me out when, very occasionally, making these same funny noises, too.
• Impressive NASCAR-like driving skills zipping us around the supermarket in a cool, turbo-like shopping scooter.
• Already mastering self-checkout protocols at those big stores, thereby keeping us in good graces with the local authorities.

Not sure how long these golden everyday moments may last. Just hoping the happy, fun, loving memories live forever.

For us both!