Giving Generously – The Tale of Two Grandfathers

December 19, 2011

Grandfather One was a good man. He was given some pretty hard circumstances early in his life. His mother deserted him while he was very young and he was given a not-so-kind step-mother.  He grew up to be an honest and hard working man, often working a full time job as he established a family dairy farm and raised up his family.

Grandfather Two was also given some pretty hard circumstances early in life. His wife died at 19, leaving behind their 2 year old son. I’m sure he was a good man, although I’m not really sure because he was never around. He rarely visited and when he did he never talked with me.

Grandfather One was noted for being a bit rough around the edges and a bit grumpy at times, but he was my steady! He and precious Grandmother One could ALWAYS be found at the same place, at home;  doing the same thing, working the farm. My brothers and I spent so much of our childhood on that 99 acres. We spent many, many cold winter nights snuggled under the layers of blankets in the big, old farm house in upstate New York. Although Grandfather One would grumble and tell me to, ‘take my overnight bag back to the car, that I was NOT spending the night’,  I’d carry it on in anyway for yet another weekend visit. I knew Grandmother One would sweetly say I could stay! And of course, that tiny, meek farmer’s wife would get her way over grouchy grandpa, who was all bark and no bite!

I spent EVERY holiday and birthday at Grandpa One’s home, but I can only remember one gift they gave me (that’s another story for another day). I know they gave me gifts, I just can’t remember them.  What I do remember is they were ALWAYS there! I remember the hugs and the kisses…especially from Grandpa One’s scratchy, unshaven face! I remember the smell of his pipe and his talking in his sleep…I still giggle every time I think of that! Oh, and to hear him hoop and holler when he and tiny, meek Grandma One would crawl into bed at night and she’d put her cold feet on him, he’d get ‘loud’… and she’d gently say, “Cold feet, warm heart!” I’d laugh again!

Now Grandfather One had his flaws, just as we all do, but his willingness TO BE THERE…ALWAYS THERE is all that mattered.

Grandfather Two chose to invest his life elsewhere.  He left no legacy for me, his first grandchild, so I have no stories or blessings to pass on to his great-grandchildren. The only real memories I have of him are brief, yearly visits and gifts of cash, that’s all. It’s been years since his passing from this earth and sadly I have no void. It’s hard to miss someone that was never there.

Grandfather One passed away 32 years ago just after Christmas. I remember it so clearly, I was 14 and my parents has just separated.  My youngest brother, with whom he shared a birthday with, was actually there the day he collapsed in the barnyard. His death rocked my world. Since then I’ve had a void in my heart, but the stories and legacy I have been able to share with his great-children are priceless.  I can’t remember the gifts wrapped in paper, but I clearly remember that he was ALWAYS there, ALWAYS a part of my growing up.

This is what the gift of love is! This is giving generously! It’s not the price of an item, it’s the investment of LIFE that will leave a legacy.

Where are you giving? How are you investing? Who needs your gifts of love and time?  Who did God give you the duty to give to?  Think long and hard as you shop and wrap…what is your legacy?

Topics: Family Tidbits, Giving Generously | 1 Comment »