20 Aug 2020 Author helps bridge generational gap

What will your grandchildren remember about you as a grandparent? What do you remember about your own grandparents? What do you wish you knew about them? These are questions that motivated Mary May Larmoyeux to write “One-of-a-Kind Grandparent Connection – Building a Legacy with Your Grandchild” (2019). 

Bridging the gap between generations can be a challenge. To this end, the book serves as a useful tool that provides numerous suggestions for grandparents to build strong relationships with their grandchildren. There are tips for nearby and long-distance grandparenting, holiday and birthday traditions, prompts to encourage personal story writing, suggested activities for all ages, and even tips on saying goodbye. In addition, the book encourages self-reflection, promoting an understanding of what it means to be a grandparent. 

Mary and her husband Jim are both originally from Louisiana. They moved to Central Arkansas back in the 70s when he was transferred by the insurance company for which he worked. He and Mary enjoyed the area so much they decided to remain here to raise their two sons. 

While in Little Rock, Mary, who as a child loved nothing more than writing in her diary, was hired to write for Family Life, a Christian ministry that helps strengthen families. 

In 1999, B&H Publishing Group published Mary’s first book, “My Heart’s at Home,” which was quickly followed in 2001 by “There’s No Place Like Home: Steps to Becoming a Stay-At-Home Mom,” co-authored with Ethan Pope. “Resurrection Eggs Activity Book” (Family Life Publishing, 2006) was a collaboration with author Amy L. Bradford and illustrator Fran Wadkins. “Help for Busy Moms” was published in 2008 by Pleasant Word. 

About 15 years ago, Mary’s focus naturally shifted to grandparenting. Because publishers were unsure of the market for “grandparent” books, she decided to self-publish. In 2014, she co-authored “Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect with Your Grandchild’s Heart” with Nancy Downing, an award-winning educator from Little Rock. In 2019, Mary authored “One-of-a-Kind Grandparent Connection.”

Mary has written numerous articles that were published in Maumelle Living, AY Magazine, 501 LIFE, Discovery Years, The Family Room and others. She has been featured on “Tales from the South.”

In addition to her own creative energies, she also finds the time to assist and encourage others. She is a co-founder of Perry County Writers and a former president of the Arkansas Pioneer Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. She has served on the board of the Arkansas Writers Conference. 

In 2008, Mary created a grandparenting website, now titled Legacy Connection. On it she posts blogs every Tuesday and an “occasional Friday.” Information about her workshops on writing and ways to connect with family can also be found there, along with a bookstore. 

Today, Mary and Jim reside in Perry County. They especially enjoy the time they spend connecting with their eight grandchildren who reside both near and out-of-state. They know that sharing fond family memories and establishing traditions are some of the most precious gifts adults can give to youth. 

Mary’s books may be purchased from Amazon or from Legacyconnection.org.