Calling your grandparent just to talk feels awkward the first time. It often turns into the best call of your week.

The awkwardness comes from calling with no errand attached. Almost every call you make has a reason riding on it, so a call that is only for talking feels like it is missing a part. For the person on the other end, that missing part is the whole gift. They are used to being checked on and not used to being wanted for company.

Call this week with no agenda and say you just wanted to hear how they are. Ask about something that happened before you were born. Let the quiet patches be quiet.