The Three Minute Grandparent

Moving is not fun.  Let's get that out in the open. Moving is a pain, it takes time, energy and it costs lots of money.  There, I've said it. In contrast, the results of moving can be exciting, delighting, ecstatic, and dramatic.  (Borrowed from Ralph Carmichael) So, here is the scoop.  Our move began in late February with packing, throwing away, more packing and more throwing away.  We used rolls of bubble wrap and packing tape on piles and piles of boxes.  Thanks to Harvest Foods in Lolo, MT for an endless supply of boxes. Our small apartment soon had an entire side of the living room stacked...to the ceiling...with packed, taped and labeled boxes. We packed with the understanding that we were following God's leadership toward something greater.  So we packed and packed and packed some more until...............the apartment was empty and all was either in a box or ready to load on a truck as is. We were ready to go. Where? Come back next tim...

My parents told me that anything worth doing was worth doing well.  One of my favorite college professors said, "It doesn't cost any more to go first class."  Meaning with a little more effort, the job is done with excellence. This has been my mantra...plan the job then do the job with excellence.  I admire this trait in anyone and applaud them for this "stick-at-it-ness."  Never give up, keep at it, don't get discouraged. Plain and simple, we have a fly in our house that will not die, nor give up.  I am sure that I have killed this fly multiple times but it seems to have 700 lives and keeps returning.  Sitting in my chair becomes an invitation for the fly to land on my arm or head.  Grandma suddenly lurches up and surprises all of us....yep, the fly landed on her. We are constantly waiving arms in the air just to discourage the fly from coming near to us.  The interesting part is that we have temps below 30 with snow on the ground.  Wh...

The tree through the window seems to have lost weight.  All of it's bones are visible.  The sky is overcast and snow still rests on the ground.  Poor tree, standing vigil outside my window with no leaves to cover itself...not to mention the cold that will not let go. The sky, overcast and gray, is holding the cold as a Granny holds her favorite cat.  Drawing warmth from each other, the cat basks and purrs as Granny closes her eyes.  The tree has no warmth. The bony tree gazes into my kitchen window, longing for warmth yet surrounded by unending cold, a victim of the desire to stand alone...all alone in the cold. While all of this is happening outside my kitchen window, my thoughts stray South.  A picture forms in my mind of 4 grandchildren, awaiting the arrival of grandparents.  From Western Montana to the furthermost points South, these Grandparents picture 4 small people in their arms, and can hardly wait for the upcoming trip. My g...

The phone rang, I answered and a child's voice said, "Hello Grandaddy?"  My heart melted as the oldest of our grandchildren began his conversation with me.  Levi is learning to talk on the phone, quite an accomplishment for a young child.  Young children are generally visual in all of their activities, so talking to a non-corporeal voice can be daunting. This young grandchild, being the highly intelligent child that he is, had no problem communicating his feelings to this grandpa.  He told me about his school day, his coming extra curricular class, his ride to get pizza and now going home.  All of the important issues of the day. Listening was a joy as Levi shared the important events of his life and wanted to talk with his grandpa.  Wow - life is good! Thanks Angela and David for encouraging Levi to get to know his Grandpa...it means the world to this ThreeMinuteParent. This week is off to a great start. Ken

The wedding of the century happens in less than 50 days!  To say that I am excited is an understatement...so let me state it differently, WOW!  I am excited and can hardly wait to be with 2 very special people, Joseph and Jenn. These two folks, one a son and one a future daughter, have known each other for several years and have decided to tie the knot and become ONE.  Did I say that I am excited? The wedding, which promises to be THE event of the year is on my calendar and days are being crossed off with regularity.  In addition to being a part of the wedding, as the reigning Dad and Grandfather, I will be in the presence of 4 of the finest grandchildren in the world.  Grandma and I are looking forward to grandparent duty when not on call for the wedding. My duties will include, holding and hugging grandchildren, reading, zipping, tying, admiring, coloring, racing, sliding, and pushing swings.  These are just a few of the numerous duties that I will ...

Snow, snow, snow. The view is of snow through my bedroom window. The bedroom is actually the computer room or 2nd bedroom. Now that takes the wonder out of “Snow”...right? The first view is actually of a chain link fence surrounding a yard of snow...then mountains in the distance. That really destroys the magic...or does it? We live in a magical world of snow and fences. Viewing snow always draws my eyes upward to the mountains then to the local powder on the ground, in the streets and around the houses. But then...I see the fences, those devices that hold my view to merely a back yard, a dog run, or even a confined yard surrounded by 8 foot wooden boards. How sad that we sink to a confined yard of snow and forget to look up at the mountains of snow surrounding us. The beauty of the frozen vapor resting on a Douglas fir or Ponderosa Pine is enough to take away my breath. Not to mention the cold which is enough to freeze noses and toeses. Looking up allows me to refill...

Getting to know you...getting to know all about you.  Life with children and grandchildren is more than a song, even if the song is from the wonderful 1951   Rodgers and Hammerstein   musical   The King and I .   Knowing someone requires time and commitment with lots of love thrown in.  Getting to know a child or grandchild can be challenging and fun... and is definitely worth it. Children and Grandchildren want to be known and loved, but how does one show love?  Perhaps an ice cream cone or a cup of lemonade would say "I love you" to a child.  A new shirt, dress, or pair of jeans might say "I am awfully fond of you" to another child.  Holding a child in your lap or a kind word might speak to another child.  Each child understands love in his or her own way. In a way, love is a language and each person, each child has his or her own language that is part of his life from the beginning of life until the end of life. ...