Special to ASSIST News Service
SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- Many years ago, eight-year-old Ann Johnson wrote these words about her grandma. “My grandma likes to play with God. They have a kind of game. She plants the garden full of seeds, He sends the sun and rain. She likes to sit and talk with God, And knows He is right there. She prays about the whole wide world, Then leaves us in His care.”
This old quote came from Azusa, CA. “Any grandmother can tell you what’s new in people. And she has the pictures to go with her wonderful story.” Our children,
Elizabeth and Mark, with whom we moved to Decatur, Illinois, August 1, 1964, and where we joyfully called our house and family home, met a lot of grandparents when we arrived and new ones each succeeding year.
Elizabeth’s first child, Stephanie, first referred to me as a grandparent in our modest little, but very happy house, at 605 Frank Drive. Stephanie had heard me referred to as “grandpa”, but she had never tried to say it. She was seated in her high chair at the table and had a very limited vocabulary.
It was time to eat. I had not arrived in the dining room. Probably someone asked, “Where is grandpa?” About that time, I came into the room. Little Stephanie with a clear and distinct voice and pretty smile pointed her finger at me and out came, “Poppop”. To all my five grandchildren, I have always been “Poppop”. Stephanie will finish her masters degree in June, 2012 in Piano Pedagogy at one of America’s largest and best-known universities.
Grandparents come in all sizes, shapes and ages. To most children, they are a joy and the greatest of all teachers. Once, not long after we moved to Decatur, I was invited to speak to a group of grandmothers in one of the largest and finest houses in the elite section of the city. As I left, I recall Kitty saying, “You will enjoy being with all those grandmothers.” My reply, “How can it be all that much fun with a house full of grandmas?” Her reply was, “Some grandmothers are in their thirties and younger than you.” And indeed, they were.
Soon after arriving in Decatur, we met wonderful grandparents like Lela Buckley, Rev. Elzy & Grace Brown, Gertrude Burns, Lena Goodman, Chester & Lurlene Goodman, Dudley & Maxine Goodman, Oscar & Connie King, Rev. Charles & Lillian Longton, Wayne & Elsie Mast, L. R. & Pearl Morgan, Lawrence & Mae Maxedon, Paul & Bessie Prince, Fred & Doris Ridlen, Antonio Romano, Eva Rupert, Guy & Gwen Rigsby, Neta Schroeder, Dorothy Koscielny, Helen Troutman, Jim & Lois Soules, Vernon & Ruth Spaar, Ryburn & Nora Sprague, Wilton & Loma Wallace, Benny & Velma Wattlet, Ornan & Gladys Williams and many others.
Many others were younger parents who became grandparents while I was there. And their children are now parents and grandparents. Yes, some of the young people are now grandparents.
Children do grow up and become parents and eventually grandparents, some make it to being great grandparents. My grandparents, Alex and Margaret Perry and Octavia Ellis, grandpa William Hamilton Ellis, died when my dad was only nine.
St. Paul wrote, “. . . the genuine faith that is in you . . . first in your grandmother . . . ” (2 Timothy 1:5). I suppose my closing word should be, “Thank you grandpa and grandma. I love you. Billy.”
Every day my appreciation for my grandparents and parents increases. I hope God lets them know, in ways I do not know or understand, how much they are loved and appreciated. And all the super people we met in Decatur, the city we love.
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| Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 2,000 newspaper and magazine columns, articles and contributions to books. He is also a widely known motivational speaker and pulpit guest who utilizes enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems makes him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089. |  |
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