Grand Connection: Donut Dates

A fun thing that Pops and I have done with all of our grands is to take them on a “donut date”—right to the donut factory itself, so to speak—Krispy Kreme.

There’s a Krispy Kreme not too far from where we used to live. I think that the grandkids and I enjoyed watching the donuts being made even more than eating them. Well … almost.

What could be better than a piping hot glazed donut—especially one with all of the calories removed? Of course, there are not just plain donuts at Krispy Kreme. There’s a counter-display filled with donuts of different sizes and shapes—chocolate covered with sprinkles, strawberry filled, cinnamon apple …

When we took some of our grands to Krispy Kreme one fall, did they just want glazed donuts? No, they wanted pumpkin donuts. Guess what? They got pumpkin donuts.

Pops and I have brought the camera with us for our "donut date with the grands.“ We’ve snapped some great pictures and captured some great memories.

Perhaps one day, when Pops and I are no longer on this earth, our grands will be eating donuts with their kids and they’ll say, “I remember when our grandparents took us to the donut shop.” And later they might even take out a tattered scrapbook and point to an old picture—a picture of Pops and me enjoying a Saturday morning with our legacy at Krispy Kreme.

Is it time for you to take your grands on a donut date?

If they live out of town, you could mail them a gift card to a donut store. Ask the grands’ parents to snap a picture of them eating donuts and e-mail it to you. You might respond by e-mail with your own memories of eating donuts.

Most people know that tomorrow is 9/11, the time of great loss and tragedy for Americans. It is the memorial of the terrorists attack on the Two Towers in New York city. It is a day to remember and honor those that lost their lives.

What most people don’t know is that it is also National Grandparents Day. As a "papa” I want to also share in this celebration. One simple way for grandparents to connect is to have a “donut date.” A sweet treat and a sweet way to spend time with grandkids.