Take time for your elders

Teenage life is far from easy and never slow.
Every day during the school year, the average teenager goes to classes and usually stays afterward to attend a practice or game.
Then, they come home only to start homework and spend the night studying.
But it doesn't end there. Most of the time there are church functions or meetings to attend to keep up on their social life or responsibilities.
Needless to say, there leaves little, if any, time to spend with your family.
Even when we do find time to spend with our family, we hardly ever think about using the time to spend with our grandparents. The only time we really get to see them is when we go over there for a family get together or on holidays. We seem to forget about the time we could spend talking to them and really getting to know them.
Time for us
Sad to say, we are not children anymore and the love and cherishment we once had for our grandparents is not the same. Although we still love them, we need to realize that they have a lot more to offer us now that we have grown up. The wisdom and knowledge they once shared with our parents is ready to be passed on to us.
Try to involve them in your lives more. Talk to them about what you are doing, if they haven't already asked or found out.
Now that they are done parenting their own children, they are ready to help you accomplish your goals and dreams. This may include the decision of which college to attend or which scholarships to go for.
What to do
You could also invite them to your sporting events or awards ceremonies. They are always willing to go see you doing what you do best. An invitation from you usually means that they won't, or can't turn you down.
Think about all of the things that they have already done for you. They are the ones that give you the most money on your birthday or let you pick out exactly what you want for Christmas. They still know how to spoil you and don't mind doing it because they love you.
Now that you are old enough to learn, they can teach you the secret to making those pies or fudge that no one else can make quite as well as them. It never hurts to learn new things and once you know how to make something, you may be able to teach your children or grandchildren someday.
Your grandparents are already proud of what you do, but if you get to personally know them, I bet you would be proud of them, too.
Don't let sports and a little extra homework get you too bogged down. The time you have with your grandparents now is important. Take the extra step to make memories with them that will last a lifetime.
XAshlee, 16, is a junior at Western Reserve High School.