Grandchildren are one of the biggest joys in the lives of grandparents, as anyone who has them will tell you! While grandparents love to shower their grandchildren with gifts, toys and sometimes even money, it's also important to remember that quality time spent with grandchildren is often the best and most long-lasting gift they can give.

I remember at my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary, the family compiled a scrapbook full of letters and photos to and about my grandparents as a gift. While reading through the letters, I realized something—all the letters from their children and grandchildren (myself included) focused on the intangible things they have shared with us. My grandparents were generous with their family both financially and with material gifts. And not just to family, but to friends as well.

But what we remembered most was the time they had spent with us over the years. Whether it was reading a story together, cooking with grandma, fishing or mowing the lawn with grandpa, or just hanging out together and talking or playing a game—it was all quality time. It's not that we don't appreciate the material gifts they've given us over the years, but time spent with loved ones always seems to be more "straight from the heart" than tangible gifts.

Quality time spent with a grandparent can seem so special for many reasons. When we are younger it sometimes seems our parents are there only to discipline us and to make sure we don't have any fun! But grandparents (even grandparents who live in the same house as their children and grandchildren) offer a different perspective from someone other than our parents.

Grandparents have a point of view that is unique, and it's important to share this point of view with grandchildren. Spending time with grandparents can help kids learn to relate to and appreciate older people, to listen and be patient and to respect the experiences of another generation. In a society that is increasingly "me-focused," especially in the younger generations, this is an important trait to have. Whether my siblings and I spent a week or an afternoon with my grandparents, or simply received a letter from them, we knew we were expected to write a thank-you note, or at the very least, call them on the phone to thank them.

So the next time you're with your granddaughter or grandson, think about the quality time you spend with them and the impact it will have. While they may not seem especially thankful now, when they get older they will appreciate the time and energy you spent with them, and you can celebrate the fact that they'll more than likely carry this time and effort forward to future generations.