A centenarian and gratitude

I have had the unbelievable opportunity to grow up with a man, that I call my grandfather, who is now (or will be in about 3 weeks) a centenarian.  That's right, 100 years old.  Hold up on the "oh wow, you have good genes!" comment, because he's not my biological grandfather...he was my grandmother's second husband, but on that side of the family, the only grandpa I knew. 

Regardless of the lack of biological kinship with this man, I have been one of the luckiest women to know him.  Having him live in the town I grew up in, it was easy to see him a lot as a child.  And I did.  I spent countless hours over at my grandparent's house, after school, on the weekends, during holidays.  My first day of kindergarten I went to their house afterwards and I remember telling them about the friends that I'd met.  I have such fond memories of playing cards (rummy) or Yahtzee!, he'd play the piano (with no sheet music, the man could hear a song and play it back), helping he and my grandma in the garden, or hanging out in his wood crafting studio watching him make wonderful, interesting things. 

But it's not just the memories of activities...it's the memories of his character, who he is and has been as a man, as a grandfather, as a husband to my beloved grandmother (who someday I'll write in this blog about, as she was perhaps the most special woman in my life), as a step-father to my dad and an in-law to my mom.  The unconditional love that he shares with those that he knows, and even that he doesn't.  The love he has for his family is astonishing...one of the little things that has always been a favorite is how much he loved my grandmother.  His second wife after his first passed, she was a jewel to him, and he would write her love letters up until the day she died.  (sigh...)  His strong faith has taken him around the world, helping people and learning about humanity and love.  He is truly one of the most open-minded men I know.  As a person who has questioned faith and religion in her lifetime, he is a beacon of hope of what these things really should be.  Nonjudgmental.  Loving.  Open to learning about what others believe, or what science is all about, or how the world works...all being true to what your heart and spirit tell you. 

A retired methodist minister, one of the most eloquent men I know, he has a way with words.  He makes you feel so special.  He remembers the details of your life and relishes in the pride he has for you.  He also is hilarious.  Always has a joke, a way to make someone laugh.  Even at 99, going on 100, he's got his wits.

When we celebrated his birthday, a bit early, a few weekends back, with his family surrounding him, I got a few simple points from him that I think he wanted us all to take away.

~Have gratitude and be thankful.  For what life brings you, for family, for life, for health, for learning.

~Love.  Love your family, love humanity, show love in all that you do.

~Have faith.  In whatever way you do, or however you find it, have faith in God, life, spirit.  Be positive.

~Laugh.  Always laugh. 

Marvelous Marv, you are a wonder.  To me, the wisest, most loving, open-minded, open-hearted, selfless man I've ever had the chance to know.  To me, someone who has taught me some of life's greatest lessons, just by being the only man you know how to be.  To me, a legend and someone that I will ALWAYS have the utmost admiration and respect for. 

I love you.

Texture

Natural textures are beautiful. 

These leaves are intricate and unique...almost like a snowflake with their fragility. 

This tree struck me as having a really cool pattern or texture to it.   (I need a better camera to capture more intense details...but for now it's what I've got.)

Family Tree

This weekend I had the opportunity to sit and talk with my Grandma and Aunt Mary about family.  We looked at old photos and my grandma told stories.  I love listening to her talk about her family.  I never met my biological maternal Grandfather Russell, her husband, as he died when my mother was a teenager.  I've always wondered about him...what made him special, what kind of man was he, who resembles him in the family, etc.? 

He was a very handsome man, with dreamy green eyes.  My mom got the eyes.  Apparently he had a boisterous laugh that everyone could hear if he was around...I definitely got that laugh, as did my aunt and many of us in the family.  He was a kind man, patient, and never boasted.  I think I would have really admired him, had I known him.  And he loved kids.  His life may have been too short, but I like to learn about him to keep his memory alive.  I know that my grandma, mom and aunt loved him dearly. 

Here he is with my mom in 1950.  My mom was probably almost 3. 

I also learned that my Grandmother's grandfather's name was Olie A. Olson.  Seriously?  I love that.  That is the Norwegian Olson family from my maternal side...not to be confused with my last name that is the Swedish Olson family from my paternal side.  Gotta love the Scandahoovs.

Well this is a new experiment for me...my very own blog.  My reasoning behind it?  I get excited about random things and like to talk about them.  So here's my opportunity.  Share with the world what I think is unique, beautiful, tasty, fun, etc. 

I'm just getting started...so hang with me!