She sits on a folding chair in a park with a sign: "Question for the day: What's something you need closure on?" Meet the no-nonsense, grandmotherly presence of Grandma Flo, the 77-year-old who dispenses free, hard-won wisdom to strangers. Grandma Flo is more than a curiosity or a lighthearted diversion; she’s someone that park-goers can turn to when life presents tough questions. Divorce, job loss, or death are major life problems — for listeners and for Grandma Flo, who once faced them too. The Grandma Stand is a place for people to sit, share, and receive. Her listeners can feel her wisdom and care, often crying and holding her hands. Her advice is simple and direct: help others and you will be blessed.
The Grandma Stand
The Grandma Stand began with just one elderly woman sharing her wisdom. Now, there are at least 10 grandmothers from all over New York City. They park themselves and volunteer their life advice to anyone who wishes to seek it out. Grandma Flo’s stand is a place people go to seek answers, and they do not leave empty-handed. The Grandma Stand at the Encounter The concept took the form of a simple park stand. The words "STAND" and "What's something you need CLOSURE on?" are written on the sign. It is a place where people can share their experiences and seek advice. Those who visit are encouraged to sit and listen, potentially changing their life. This is how Grandma Flo offers her advice. Grandma Flo is an effective listener. Underneath her is a park bench where park-goers can sit and receive her wisdom. There are no sign-up sheets or appointments — just a folding chair and a willing ear. In New York’s fast-paced culture, the Stand has become a safe space where people can feel heard.
Emotional openness
The world could benefit from more Grandma Flo–like offerings. These days, emotional openness and healthy conversations about feelings are hard to find. With these grandmothers, a certain empathy and understanding is not only present, it is encouraged. As Grandma Flo herself makes clear, "it's like a library being burned to the ground" when an elderly person dies. These are stores of wisdom and knowledge that are lost to the world if not shared. Each of these grandmothers is a storehouse of life experience, and by sitting and listening to them, someone might learn something new, receive comfort, or gain a new perspective. Grandma Flo, for example, shared that the world would be a better place if people listened to their grandparents. A conversation with elders is an opportunity not to be missed. Those who seek answers, or perhaps a listening ear, shouldn’t hesitate to stop by the Grandma Stand. An elderly grandmother is waiting to dispense advice, love, and an opportunity to reflect. While spending time with Grandma Flo, Aija Mayrock, a young woman, recounted that she couldn’t remember the last time she had a conversation with her grandparents. Grandma Flo reassured her that, “the world would be a better place if you listen to your grandmother.” New Yorkers are lucky to have Grandmas like Flo and her peers. People can benefit from their wisdom and their wisdom and their insights. To these grandmothers, the Grandma Stand is not just a place for dispensing advice; it is also a testament to their contributions to the community. The world would be indeed a better place if people would take the time to listen to these wise individuals.
Grandma Flo's Advice: A Prescription for Empathy
Those who listen to Grandma Flo. hear her emphasize the importance of empathy and love. Her insight can be seen as a simple prescription: give all you can to help others and a wonderful life will come back to you. For those grappling with tough life situations, Grandma Flo offers a great deal of comfort.
Grandma Flo
The woman behind the stand is Grandma Flo. At 77 years old, she has a good deal of wisdom she wants to share. "I have lived 77 long years," she says. “I'm doing this because the times that we are living in, we need more empathy and more love.” She encourages passing strangers to sit and listen, knowing that sometimes just a moment of listening can make a difference. Grandma Flo has a specific way of interacting with those who approach her. She listens to the problems of others and gives them advice. Sometimes those seeking her advice cry and hold her hands, but her face remains steady and composed. For those seeking advice, they might realize that speaking to her can truly make a difference.
The Park Setting
Park-goers who encounter Grandma Flo can find a comfortable setting to receive her advice. Grandma Flo shares her perspective, listening to those who wish to share details and problems from their lives. She does not shy away from tough topics as she often deals with topics such as going through a divorce, losing a job, or losing a family member, offering advice and comfort to anyone who needs it. While the quality of the advice varies, the actual act of listening and sharing is often all that is needed. It is a practice that Grandma Flo encourages for everyone. She listens to people’s stories and offers them some love and good advice. For her, it is a form of being compassionate and caring, and she believes that it will come back to you in return.
Learn from the Grandmas
New York City has a unique solution to emotional needs. Why not take time to visit the Grandma Stand? It is a great way to take a break from daily stressors and seek solace in the experiences of others. This simple act can offer comfort and perspective. Other than Grandma Flo, there are 10 grandmas around New York City that sit in the stand, listening to stranger’s problems and offering their life advice. For those seeking clarity, comfort, or advice, these grandmothers are a unique resource. Their words could change your life, whether for a moment or a lifetime. What people say:
- "I really miss that conversation with elders and listening to your wisdom" – determined New Yorker who visited the Grandma Stand.
Questions readers ask
What inspired Grandma Flo to start her advice stand in the first place?
Grandma Flo started her advice stand after facing significant life challenges herself, such as divorce, job loss, and death. She wanted to create a space where others could share their struggles and find comfort in her wisdom and care, offering a different kind of therapy for city dwellers. She's been doing this for years, with a simple folding chair and a sign.
How does the Grandma Stand work, and what can visitors expect when they approach?
Visitors to the Grandma Stand can expect a simple, no-frills setup with a folding chair and a sign asking what they need closure on. There are no appointments or sign-up sheets. You can sit on a park bench and share your experiences with Grandma Flo, who listens attentively and offers her wisdom. The atmosphere is encouraging, empathetic, and understanding, providing a safe space for emotional openness.
Who are the other grandmothers involved in the Grandma Stand, and how did they get involved?
There are at least 10 other grandmothers from across New York City who volunteer their time and wisdom at the Grandma Stand. They, like Grandma Flo, offer their life experiences and advice to anyone who seeks it out. The article doesn't detail how each grandmother got involved, but it's clear that they share a common goal of providing support and guidance to others.
What kind of topics do people typically discuss with the grandmothers at the Stand?
People discuss a range of topics with the grandmothers, often centering around major life problems such as divorce, job loss, or death. The conversations encourage emotional openness and healthy discussions about feelings, providing a space for people to seek answers, comfort, or a new perspective on their experiences. The grandmothers are open to listening to anything that concerns the visitors.
How does Grandma Flo's advice differ from traditional therapy or counseling?
Grandma Flo's advice is more informal and personal than traditional therapy. She offers a different kind of therapy, focusing on emotional openness and healthy conversations about feelings. Her advice is simple and direct, often encouraging listeners to help others and find blessings in their actions. It's a unique, grandmotherly approach that resonates with many people.
Is the Grandma Stand only available in specific locations, or can people find it in other parks across New York City?
The Grandma Stand originated in a specific park with a folding chair and a sign. While the article mentions there are at least 10 grandmothers from all over New York City, it does not specify if they operate in multiple parks. You can visit the Grandma Stand at the Encounter in the park, and you can find more grandmothers like Grandma Flo in other parks across New York City.
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