Monday, June 21, 2010

Sunday thoughts on Monday

I was so busy cooking yesterday that I didn't a get a chance to post!

(I made stuffed french toast with raspberry sauce (recipe coming soon) for breakfast, then artisan bread for dinner, then we all get ready for church. After church, I made peanut butter brownies, flank steak, salad with strawberries and sugared pecans, corn on the cob, and roasted potatoes and onions. (The potatoes and onions were cooked in foil packets and weren't done until after dinner! Oops.))

About a week ago, my grandfather sent me a copy of his personal history. I immediately started reading it and found it to be fascinating. Even though I've known my grandpa my whole life, I learned so much by reading his words.

Here's a sampling:

  • His parents both died when he was young and he said they never had money for "frivolous things" like birthday or Christmas gifts. He really wanted a bike, but there was no way he could purchase one, so he made one. He found old parts that were warped and ruined and painstakingly worked to straighten them out and make them usable again. Then he made a bike. I was wondering how that bike turned out, and then read that he enjoyed riding that bike for years! What the?
  • He was the first person in his family to go to college. He paid his way by milking and breeding cows. He also was enterprising enough to go to a bank and ask for a loan. He repaid the loan by the time his first year of school was over. He got a new loan and repaid it each year.
  • He was a musician and a good dancer!
  • He served in the Navy by repairing ships damaged in WWII and making sure they were seaworthy again. He had to ride out with the ships while they tested all of their capabilities before returning to battle. He wonders if his hearing was damaged by being in close proximity to all of those guns firing.
  • He helped to design and build the very first snowmobile! I had no idea.
  • He fielded some pretty strange requests as a bishop, such as: taking a cat that was scratching up its owner's furniture, and blowing up 50 balloons for a party! He said that no one is more popular than a retired bishop with a pick-up truck. I believe it.
  • He learned how to listen to and be guided by the Spirit. He relied on the Lord for guidance when making decisions.
  • He gave over 500 patriarchal blessings.
  • He dearly loved my grandmother and their marriage improved every year.

I loved reading his history. I love that he documented when he bought a new car or a new computer and noted the price and specifications, so interesting.

Most of all, I love that I am descended from this exemplary man. An intelligent man, a leader, an extremely hard worker, a kindhearted man, and one absolutely dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you, Grandpa!

And now I think that everyone should write a personal history. Everyone has a fascinating story to tell, and people who want to know all about it. And I can't wait to meet my other grandfather, who died before I was born. I hear he's a pretty great man as well...

10 comments:

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Oh, I want to know more about your grandpa. What a lucky girl indeed you are to have such a fine heritage.

It was fun seeing a picture of your grandma again.

Your meals are incredible. But then, so are you.

Natasha said...

Okay one, how neat to know this history about your grandfather. Two, I want to eat Sunday dinner at your house, yum!

Charlotte said...

That meal was seriously good, even though the potatoes didn't cook the way they should have! And the peanut butter brownies with peanut butter ice cream did not disappoint.

I love the list of facts about Grandpa—he's a pretty amazing man! We're so blessed to be his granddaughters and part of his wonderful family.

Bond Girl 007 said...

I am with Natasha.....wow....WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN. I am starstruck with your mom's parents. And your own parents. Wow. Specially your maternal grandparents....wow I bet he misses her so! I can only imagine her waiting for him with her arms open and her beautiful white gown and her beautiful glow. He was a handsome man, and building a bike from scratch!!!!!!!! ingenious. Sometimes I feel like I need to come up with ideas......but I've heard amazing things from their generations....help build the GPS system, putting a computer together from scratch..etc., etc., is amazing....

Jill said...

I think it's pretty cool that you got to read this while he is still alive and you can talk about it and ask him questions.

crystal said...

You are very, very blessed to be a part of this family tree. :)

Lookit. Just because you are all better from pneumonia, it's only been a week or so! I love how you went to town in the kitchen and "the flour flew," as I say.

Please, may I book an appointment for artisan bread lessons? I know--I keep begging. I figure one of these times you'll have time to fit me in your crazy life. But be forewarned: I may just show up on your doorstep on creative friday sometime. I'm THAT obnoxious.

But I'll bring you a Sonic beverage.

Susan said...

Such a beautiful tribute and account of my father. Thank you.

As for myself, I still can't imagine anything of interest in my own personal history...except for my fabulous children. Aunt Patti once wrote a song that said, "they're the best thing that came from me" speaking of her accomplishments...or not. I think that is about what I would have to say.

everything pink! said...

no wonder you are so amazing.

really just amazing!

emily said...

This post echoes so many of my own thoughts and feelings. Reading Grandpa's history makes me want to be more diligent and faithful. I have found it to be excellent lunch break and bus ride reading.

I wish I could read the personal histories of everyone I know! There's something to learn from everyone.

Rebekah said...

I would also love to hear more stories about your grandfather. I wish, I wish, I wish I had more of this type of character. What you have said about his hard work and thrift reminds me so much of President Hinckley.

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