My grandfather was the independent sort who loved to fix things up around the house; this was when doing it yourself was a necessary concept of life and not just a fad, so he always had wood sheds in the back where his tools and kits could be found.   I remember is a patient man who would allow me to tag around after him while he worked around the house, and he would stop every so often to show me what he was doing or explain something when I asked him to. He was retired by then from teaching grade school, and was enjoying the time by spending it with family and working on his passion for creating beautiful pieces of furniture for the family’s use. Grandpa raised a family of ten kids with Grandma, and nine of those kids became adults with families and homes of their own, but everyone often came back together in the big house to spend the weekend or holidays for days or weeks at a time. Growing up, for my uncles and aunties, meant having to share and survive with so many siblings, but Grandpa and Grandma’s examples taught them to love each other more and get closer to each other, especially as adults. I cherish the memories of the time with my Grandpa, who had mellowed with age as my cousins keep telling me he used to be so strict with them when they were younger and staying in the big house during school breaks. They’d say I was even his favorite, but since I wouldn’t really know, I’m just thankful that I got to know someone as strong as my Grandpa, someone inspiring and worthy of emulation.

{January 24, 2012}