Lessons from a very important person

Growing up, my Grandpa Elwood was the most important person in my life, we spent many hours in the backyard with the lawn tractor and wagon. We would cut and stack wood for the woodstove, clear brush, fish in the pond or just sit and watch the animals and talk.

Things he taught me follow:

1. There is a God and you WILL believe in Him. The only time in my life I can ever remember Grandpa being mad at me is the time I said I didn't think He existed. I had a very difficult childhood and at the time didn't understand how a loving God could allow me to have it so hard when I was just a child. I have since learned that God doesn't allow hard times to punish you but to strengthen the bonds you have with Him, to help you to focus your attention on Him and to help you rely on Him to bring you through.

2. The United States of America form the greatest country on this earth. There is no other country like it, the freedoms we have are worth fighting and dying for. You need to learn how this country was founded, exactly what hardships were endured to bring forth the birth of this great nation. You need to honor those who fought for and who continue to fight for the freedom we enjoy. When you see a veteran or service member you should thank them for that service. When the flag passes in parades, stop talking and texting, stand up straight, place your hand over your heart and give Old Glory the respect she deserves. Learn the words to the Star Spangled Banner and sing it proudly.

3. Your name and reputation are the MOST important things you will ever have in your life. Guard them well. Don't do things intentionally to get into trouble, watch what you say and do in public and when no one else is looking, because someone is ALWAYS looking.

4. You can ALWAYS count on your family when you are in need. I remember one year, when one of their children was struggling to pay bills and buy groceries. Grandpa, Grandma and I went to the store and bought cases of canned goods, crackers, cheese, and meat. Then we took them home and made boxes of food for all their kids, since they believed in treating each child fairly.

5. Help any and all you can. I remember Grandma Louise telling me about when Grandpa worked for Union Electric, they would sometimes send him out to turn off people's electric for not paying their bill, often times when he would find a single mom or an elderly person, he would pay the bill out of his pocket instead of turning off their electric.

Where has the time gone?

It feels like eons since I've posted on here!

I have been "at ends" recently, perhaps it's from the realization that my children are growing up as like all things I do, I'm experiencing the first pangs of "empty nest syndrom." Addie turned 18 this year and Hannah turned 16, it won't be long before they go off and start careers and families, then instead of having daily input into their lives I will be just an onlooker.

So I hope you will bear with me as I use this space to organize all the things I want the children to know.

The most important is that no matter what they do and where they go I will always love them. Many people have said we should not have had so many, but we wanted and love each of them, even though I complain about the noise and the clutter, my life would be lacking so much without them all, I hope as they grow up and leave home, they come to realize how much value their siblings added to their lives and I hope they can find a way to always be close.