Sept. 12 is Grandparents' Day.  Why not lengthen it to an entire month? This holiday was invented by and for people, not greeting card companies.  It came about because of the grassroots efforts of a West Virginia woman, Marian McQuade, who looked at her 15 children, 43 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild and told her husband of 60 years that Family is, indeed, something to celebrate.  She campaigned hard for a special holiday, getting it established in her state and, later, in 1979, in the U.S., with a declaration made by President Carter.  The day was to honor grandparents and give them a special chance to show their love for their grandchildren.   But it was also to help children understand the value of their grandparents, to see how much guidance and strength they’ve gained from their older family members.  In fact, Grandparents Day is an opportunity for us Catholics to remind ourselves of one of the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, Call to Family and Community.  Hug your grandparents.  If you don’t have one of your own, hug someone else’s.