The Three Minute Grandparent

Family, reunion, grown children, grandchildren, wedding, and cousins; sounds like a recipe for fun. Throw in a pool and hot tub....wow, this really is wonderful. Our fun began with a trip to visit cousins...lots of time for talking and listening, enjoying piano concerts, observing a techie cousin work his magic on my computer, eating with the family, riding in their boat and just relaxing with family.  Cares and troubles melt away in the presence of family love. Our reunion continued with immediate family, a hotel and pool.  The fun multiplied as we splashed, dunked and generally invaded the hotel pool and hot tub.  Add Grandchildren and magic occurs.  What is it about family that is so special to us? Perhaps it is the love that is felt immediately.  Could it be the looks of caring and acceptance? Reunion is a magic word with me...it means family, love, and memories that come alive. Thanks, family for filling my love bucket this weekend.

Relationships are all about people.  Relationships involve you talking to other people.  Relationships are the way we get to know other people.  One of the simplest relationships is the 30 second relationship.  This is by far the easiest relationship. It involves speaking to someone who walks by. Perhaps someone is sitting next to you, or invades your space. This type of relationship makes no promises, it does not set up another meeting to talk, nor does it look to anything else in the future.  The 30 second relationship is merely speaking to someone as they walk by. It could simply involve holding the door for someone walking in or out of a building, or just a kind brief word as you walk by someone else. 30 second relationships cost almost nothing to the one relating, however a smile, word or just reaching out to someone may brighten the day of someone. A 3 minute relationship begins with the 30 second one then moves a little further. How, you may ask?...

Retirement has been an unknown path for this Grandpa as he continues down the road of life.  So many new and frightening situations present themselves on a daily basis, my head spins at times.  In plainer English...I'm still trying to find my place. As someone who has worked all his life, this retirement situation  of not working on a regular basis is almost impossible.  I find that a project is needed to keep me focused, on track, and relaxed. Grandma told me that she is not my project. We are both gym members, we are involved at our church, we have family nearby, and I help with housework.  Is there nothing more for me? Please? A friend told me, "You need to find a new purpose for your life." OK...easier said than done. So....what is my purpose? Glorify God...yes. Love my wife...yes. Love my family...yes. Time still remains...how do I fill that time? Another friend suggested, discover your passion and you may find your purpose. This Summer has been...

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