Stories from my grandpa: Christmas Growing Up

by Kenny on January 9, 2012

I was fortunate to visit my grandpa in Oregon this last Christmas. He’s 88 and still as rad as ever. It had been too long since I’d seen him so I made it top priority. We asked him to tell some stories from his life while we all listened. It’s a real gem for those of us in the family. And, as usual, he gets in a couple of jokes.

My favorite part from the time I could spend with him during my visit was sitting in his house, watching him watch TV by the warmth of his wood stove. Like most of his age and era, he’s seen a lot of brutality and pain in his life, suffered poverty and misery, yet he managed to come out of it all with a loving soul and a temperament that’s quick to smile and slow to anger. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all admire him for his steady hand through the years. He misses Grandma, yet I’m so thankful he’s still around for me. He is a major part of my inspiration to build and make things, and to give freely to other people of my time and talents.