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Jonathan Thomas
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Grandparents
4 stars|5 comments|May 04, 2007|463 reads
 

I'm sitting at home watching the old television production of The Walton's with Vicki. In the series, Grandpa has been dead less than a year, Grandma had a stroke and is partially paralyzed on one side, and two of the girls move out on their own to share a convenient apartment in town, where they work and go to school.

I cried throughout the entire program. My maternal grandparents died young and my mother and her siblings were orphaned. I never knew my father, so I have never had any grandparents. While my mother has 15 siblings, she was a black sheep, so to speak, and that kept us separated from the rest of the family.

Knowing the heritage we now have is Christ is only a small comfort when I experience the intense loneliness that can only be known by those without family. I feel as though I'm unprepared for life without the counsel of my father and grandfather to guide me. I suppose it's like the difference between powdered milk and whole milk; life without the guidance of experienced and knowledgeable family to help seems somehow empty and unsubstantial.

Always been excited about one day living my own life and becoming a man. Now I'm not so sure I'm even able to do that on my own.

Some days, I just don't know. 

 
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Voice in DC
 Voice in DC
May 04, 2007
Selah.
Mike n Laura
 Mike n Laura
May 04, 2007
JT, these are interesting thoughts. Given today's emphasis on the nuclear family, most people seem to almost write their grandparents off. I'm with you though, it must be great to have a large family that is close, and where wisdom can be passed to the younger generations. I don't have that, never did, so I'm groping around in the dark right now. But Laura and I are doing everything we can to gently, lovingly, build a family heritage that will last for our children.
Randy Lloyd
 Randy Lloyd
May 04, 2007

JT, I am sorry that you missed that relationship in your life.  My Grandmother was a special person in my life and even though she was called home back in 1985, I still miss her today.  I used to love to set in the floor of her house and listen to the 'Adults' tell stories while I growing up.  Of course the show is on the other foot now as I am Grandpa and cherish my two Grandsons. 

We are also trying to remember and recount the family history to the boys when possible.  I may have to just start a journal to pass down for the next generations.

Randy

rosie burns
 rosie burns
May 05, 2007
Jonathan i never had grandparents they died when my parents were young so i never had that relationship either that is why it is so important to me to have a close relationship with my grandchildren. My kids have their grandparents still. They are blessed.
R B
 R B
May 05, 2007

Hey JT,

Different things stick out to different people; so here's my very personal note (for the whole world to see - geez).

What stands out to me is, a tender heart (weep with those who are weeping).

When my heart gets tenderized by something like this... sometimes I want to stay and sometimes I want to go... far away from it.

My grandparents story: Both grandfathers died when I was very young and I really didn't get to know them at all. But in the early sixties my mom's mother came to live with us. And I use to terrorize her to look cool for my friends. Of course when they weren't looking she was my best pal and taught me how to play pinochle; but I didn't want them to know it; afterall you are a guy and you got to be tough; right?

So, it's still an area often unbalanced. Be tough and get a hardened heart (military style)… or get transparent and be tenderized, which?

Thanks for helping me get intimate today,

R…