Grandparents: keepers of Hope

By Cindy and Deacon Sheldon Narine

For the past 32 years, God has richly blessed our marriage. Through the joys and challenges of life, He has remained faithful, guiding and strengthening us every step of the way.

One of His greatest blessings has been the gift of our two wonderful children, Darrion and Shelci Marie. Watching them grow into caring, faith-filled adults has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives.

Our family was blessed even further when Shelci married Triston Gollop. Their loving union brought a new chapter into our lives with the birth of our first grandchild, Ariston.

Becoming grandparents has been a gift beyond anything we imagined. It has filled our hearts with gratitude and given us a renewed appreciation for God’s love and the beauty of family.

Over the past 11 months, our grandson has brought us immeasurable joy. Every smile, laugh, new word, and little milestone reminds us of the wonder of God’s creation.

We treasure the simple moments—watching him explore the world with curiosity, reaching out for a hug, or greeting us with his infectious smile. At the end of each workday, one of the greatest joys is seeing him. No matter how busy or stressful the day has been, his laughter has a way of lifting our spirits and reminding us of what truly matters.

As grandparents, we have lived long enough to know that life brings both blessings and hardships. Through it all, our faith has taught us to place our hope in God. Today, that hope is renewed each time we look at Ariston. He reminds us that every new generation is a sign of God’s continuing love and His promise for the future.

In his 2026 message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Holy Father reminds us that grandparents have a unique vocation within the family. We are called not only to love our grandchildren but also to pass on the priceless gift of faith.

While our grandson is still very young, we know that this mission begins now. It is found in praying with him, bringing him to church, teaching him the Sign of the Cross, reading Bible stories, and showing him, by our example, what it means to trust in God. Our greatest desire is that he will grow to know Jesus personally and always keep Christ at the centre of his life.

At the same time, we recognise that grandparents are called to support and encourage parents in their vocation. We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside our daughter and son-in-law as they raise this beautiful gift from God. Whether it is helping with his daily care, offering words of encouragement, or simply being present when needed, we see this as part of our calling.

We do not replace parents; rather, we stand beside them with love, prayer, and support, strengthening the family as each generation shares in God’s work.

We thank God for the blessing of our children, our son-in-law, and especially our beloved grandson. Becoming grandparents has brought us immense happiness, deepened our faith, and reminded us that every generation has a special place in God’s plan.

Our prayer is that we will always be grandparents who never lose hope, who faithfully pass on the gift of our Catholic faith, and who lovingly support our family so that, together, we may help lead our grandson ever closer to Christ.