80 years and one day

I sit here and think about how much has changed in my life within the last year- even the last six months. Then I think about how much has changed in our World technologically, diplomatically, politically, environmentally, socially, in the past five years, the past ten years, and so on and so forth. Every day holds the potential to bring a new turn that was never expected; that can change the course of one man or an entire nation's life, in seemingly an instant. September 11, Kennedy's assasination, Normandy, the invention of the internet, the telephone... so much, such little things, at times can make such a huge impact. Some people roll with change as if they were in a raft on the tranquil sea. Others greet each change life brings with apprehension and a longing to hold onto the past-paralyzed at the thought of a new way of life becoming the norm. If I was born eighty years ago yesterday could I even count in my head all of the changes I had seen in the world during my stay? Could I have weathered the hardships of the Great Depression, could I have put on a brave and patriotic face during World War II? Could I have changed along with each pivitol decade- the "happy home" of the 50's, the rebellion of the 60's, the drugs and disco of the 70's, the recession of the 80's, the sex saturated culture of the 90's, and now the new millenium and all that is expected to come along with it. Could I have been born on August 27th, 1924 and be a successful, loving, well-rounded individual today? To quote Mordecai in the book of Esther, "...And who knows but that you have been born for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

August 27th, 1924 was the day that my grandfather was destined to be born. He was made for a time such as this. A century that was so revolutionary in so many ways. Eighty years that have taken him from the icebox to the refrigerator, the wash basin to the washer and dryer in his home. Times of need to times of overwhelming plenty. Times of morality to times of moral relativism, absolute truth to questioning everything. He has rolled with the punches amazingly well and he is a man to be admired. A soldier in WWII serving in the navy, a father of three, a husband for the past 50 years. My grandpa worked hard and has lived out the American dream. He made a good life for himself and his family. He was a provider, a father, a grandfather, a husband, a friend. He still is all of those things today- he hasn't missed a beat. Of all of his accomplishments over the past eighty years, I believe his family is the one of which he should be the most proud and the most thankful. A family is a lasting legacy of a man and his wife. It is who will carry on his memories and his successes into the future, and his legacy will not be forgotten or go unthanked. Speaking from personal experience, I have known my grandfather as one of my biggest fans. Present at all of our baseball, basketball, volleyball, track meets, choir concerts, dance recitals, birthdays, christmases, Easters, thanksgivings. He gave us our first taste of sugar when we were still under age one by putting whipped cream on his finger while mom wasn't looking. He took us to McDonalds for an after school snack! The pantry is always full and it's all for you. He loves to watch golf, he loves to talk politics, he loves to have his weekly morning breakfast with his friends. He is a presence in my life still today, and an entire room could not contain all of my childhood memories that include him. Happy memories. Good times. A man who has lived a successful eighty years, despite all of the obstacles that stood in his way. He has made a lasting impression on my 22 years, and will continue as he lives each day. I pray my children will get to know him. He would say that he can't afford to live another 20 years, but I hope it's in him- I can't imagine life without him, and I don't want to.

I love you grandpa, and I pray that in this eightieth year and in the many years to come, God will grant you the serenity and joy that is found in the hope of His love through his son. He loves you so much, even more than me, and he put you here on August 27th, 1924 for a reason, and will keep you here with us until He can't stand it anymore and just has to have you home. Thanks for letting me spend the night at your house every Friday night. Thanks for taking me to Buster Brown shoes and always getting me a puch balloon. Thanks for taking me to Six Flags and waiting for me in the blazing heat while I enjoyed Looney Tunes Land. Thanks for giving me a dollar if I got a hit. Thanks for coming to my choir concerts even though they were boring and the seats were uncomfortable. Thanks for helping me get braces so I have a pretty smile. Thanks for the thousands of dollars I'm sure you have so graciously poured into my life. Thanks for being present, always. I love you so much, Nat