Your clarity about the Ones who have brought you here and shaped you is absolutely gorgeous, James. The natural way you have always loved and appreciated their unique lives, and the way you have received the gifts each one has naturally given you--it has shaped you. Your deep appreciation for your place in this shared history is profound. I am sure you were (and continue to be!) a blessing to them as well.
I listened to this on the way to Magee Marsh, and now I'm finally sitting with it again. I don't know if this is your best piece, but it's the one that shook me the most. As someone so profoundly influenced by grandparents, I felt this down to my bones, especially the rowboat. I inherited my grandfather's most prized earthly possession--his record collection. He loved 20s and 30s jazz, and you can just feel his love of music radiating from those records.
"but the common denominator across anything I do is I want to make him proud"
Holy shit. Yes. Me too. I'm not a big believer in afterlifes or anything, but his ghost lives with me, or rather inside me. Hope I'm making him proud. I'm sure you make your Papa proud, James.
Thank you Nate, and I'm glad this made an appearance on your trip to Magee Marsh. I'd imagine putting on one of your grandfather's records evokes the same feeling I get when I sit in that rowboat and move across the water.
I've kind of changed my tune lately on afterlives and the influence of the passed on the world and lives of the people they were close with. The word ghost has too many connotations in my mind but my grandfather is definitely with and within me, as yours is with and within you.
Beautifully written. Thank you! It's amazing how previous generations keep being present in our lives. I've never met my grandpa. But after my grandma passed away, I got two hand-carved wooden cranes made by him. He was in a wheel chair, but he loved nature and being outdoors. The stories I've been told about him keep inspiring me.
This is a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to your grandfather and to all of your grandparents. Thank you for sharing this with us, James. You are a natural born memoirist, asking for life stories since childhood.
I love reading stories like this...the influence of a Mom, Dad, grandparent.....and what you did with them when they were alive and how much it still means to you. These are the important things in life.....as you eloquently write about.
Thank you so much, Jenn. Experiences shared with loved ones are indeed the important things in life, and I am fortunate that my loved ones gave me memories to write about.
I think I’m in love with your grandparents. Oh my, a big ol lump in my throat, and some tears splashed on my cheeks. Your Papa taught you so well, about so many things.
And now you bring His dauntless spirit to my life to cheer me on when I most need it.
Nice piece, James. I love thoughtful memories that carry the emotion of the past. You really treasure your forebears, and it shows. This is the kind of piece you need to save just like the leather booklet your great grandmother wrote eight pages of her history in. Keep on keeping on.
Thank you Tom. Family members or friends become pillars in our lives--we can remember them when they are gone, but it helps to have things to remember them by, a journal, an essay, a memento, anything.
This tribute to your old ones is so very touching, James. I loved learning about all the little moments in your memory. And I delighted in the broader descriptions of people you loved and remember so fondly. Thanks for sharing this history.
This was beautiful James, it sounds like you were lucky to have him in your life and vice versa. I also LOVE what you asked your grandmama for on your birthday.
Thank you for sharing, James. "My Way" by Frank Sinatra is such a fine song. Your grandfather's advice on getting back up and into the race after falling down is great advice.
What a beautiful post. I never got to meet any of my grandparents; my remaining one (paternal grandmother) died two days before I was born. Everyone loved her best and said she was eagerly awaiting my arrival. I really missed out.
I love that your grandparents reluctantly went birding with you. That’s love 🩶
Your clarity about the Ones who have brought you here and shaped you is absolutely gorgeous, James. The natural way you have always loved and appreciated their unique lives, and the way you have received the gifts each one has naturally given you--it has shaped you. Your deep appreciation for your place in this shared history is profound. I am sure you were (and continue to be!) a blessing to them as well.
Thank you so much Ann! I do have a deep appreciation for the family traditions I am lucky to be a part of, and I try to add in good ways.
I listened to this on the way to Magee Marsh, and now I'm finally sitting with it again. I don't know if this is your best piece, but it's the one that shook me the most. As someone so profoundly influenced by grandparents, I felt this down to my bones, especially the rowboat. I inherited my grandfather's most prized earthly possession--his record collection. He loved 20s and 30s jazz, and you can just feel his love of music radiating from those records.
"but the common denominator across anything I do is I want to make him proud"
Holy shit. Yes. Me too. I'm not a big believer in afterlifes or anything, but his ghost lives with me, or rather inside me. Hope I'm making him proud. I'm sure you make your Papa proud, James.
Thank you Nate, and I'm glad this made an appearance on your trip to Magee Marsh. I'd imagine putting on one of your grandfather's records evokes the same feeling I get when I sit in that rowboat and move across the water.
I've kind of changed my tune lately on afterlives and the influence of the passed on the world and lives of the people they were close with. The word ghost has too many connotations in my mind but my grandfather is definitely with and within me, as yours is with and within you.
Beautifully written. Thank you! It's amazing how previous generations keep being present in our lives. I've never met my grandpa. But after my grandma passed away, I got two hand-carved wooden cranes made by him. He was in a wheel chair, but he loved nature and being outdoors. The stories I've been told about him keep inspiring me.
Thank you Maja! Those crane carvings sound so special and beautiful—objects to be cherished, from an inspirational man.
Excellent, touching piece, James. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Jesse, for reading and for your comment.
This is a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to your grandfather and to all of your grandparents. Thank you for sharing this with us, James. You are a natural born memoirist, asking for life stories since childhood.
Thank you for reading, Heidi. I have always enjoyed learning peoples' stories to be able to tell them--especially those of my family.
I love reading stories like this...the influence of a Mom, Dad, grandparent.....and what you did with them when they were alive and how much it still means to you. These are the important things in life.....as you eloquently write about.
Thank you so much, Jenn. Experiences shared with loved ones are indeed the important things in life, and I am fortunate that my loved ones gave me memories to write about.
I think I’m in love with your grandparents. Oh my, a big ol lump in my throat, and some tears splashed on my cheeks. Your Papa taught you so well, about so many things.
And now you bring His dauntless spirit to my life to cheer me on when I most need it.
Thank you James.
Thank you, Teyani. I am glad reading about Papa's dauntless life was motivational as you continue to be dauntless in your own.
What a beautiful tribute, James. I have a feeling your grandfather would be very proud of your last few years 😌
Thank you so much, Tara--that means a lot to hear, and I appreciate you reading.
Nice piece, James. I love thoughtful memories that carry the emotion of the past. You really treasure your forebears, and it shows. This is the kind of piece you need to save just like the leather booklet your great grandmother wrote eight pages of her history in. Keep on keeping on.
Thank you Tom. Family members or friends become pillars in our lives--we can remember them when they are gone, but it helps to have things to remember them by, a journal, an essay, a memento, anything.
This tribute to your old ones is so very touching, James. I loved learning about all the little moments in your memory. And I delighted in the broader descriptions of people you loved and remember so fondly. Thanks for sharing this history.
Thank you, Sharron. I appreciate you reading, enjoying, and commenting.
This was beautiful James, it sounds like you were lucky to have him in your life and vice versa. I also LOVE what you asked your grandmama for on your birthday.
An unusual request I’m very glad to have made. Thank you for reading and for your comment, Sarah.
reading this healed me
I am very glad to read that.
Beautiful. He clearly lives on in you my brother.
Thank you Kyle!
Thank you for sharing, James. "My Way" by Frank Sinatra is such a fine song. Your grandfather's advice on getting back up and into the race after falling down is great advice.
Thank you Neil! It’s great advice and echoes a few great Sinatra tunes—I appreciate you reading
What a beautiful post. I never got to meet any of my grandparents; my remaining one (paternal grandmother) died two days before I was born. Everyone loved her best and said she was eagerly awaiting my arrival. I really missed out.
I love that your grandparents reluctantly went birding with you. That’s love 🩶
What a beautiful tribute. We can all only hope someone thinks so much of each of us as you do of your family, when we are no longer here.