PITTSBURG, Kan. — Long before we figure out the world on our own, our grandparents have already mapped it out for us in gentle advice, warm kitchens, and unconditional love.
Sunday marks National Grandparents Day, a recognition of the vital role that grandparents play in our everyday lives. Last year for National Grandparents Day, I talked about how we should all cherish the memories with our grandparents while they are still here. This year, however, marks a decade since the passing of my grandpa and my best friend, Donald Dean Pyle. So I thought I’d talk just to share a few cherished memories in honor of Sunday’s holiday.
Predictably, as the only boy in the family, I was spoiled.
I can remember a summer day like today. I’d get off school and I’d go straight to grandma and grandpa’s to hang out on the porch and hop on the swing or to “eat all his food” even though he was the one who offered the food and invited me over.
One activity I thoroughly enjoyed was working in the garden with him. He’d have his tomatoes, lettuce, onions, peppers, asparagus, and more out there. He tried to grow watermelon a few times but quit out of frustration. He’d have his garden tools that I’d use but he also had this trench shovel from World War II that was just the perfect size for me and we’d work together in the garden and he’d teach me all the proper techniques and how to plant and take care of the garden items. Then we’d grab a tomato from the garden, retreat into the air conditioning, and enjoy a nice, sliced tomato with salt on top.
He also had this BB gun that I would ask constantly to shoot. We didn’t get to do it much because I’m sure he was worried I’d end up like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story.” But when we did, I’d be grinning from ear to ear as he stood behind me to make sure I didn’t shoot my eye out.
I remember the time when he taught me how to drive stick shift, or at least attempted to. He lived on the south side of town, and we’d go down West Willow Street to the brush dump to test my stick shift skills. However, it was like those videos of carjackers today trying to steal a stick shift vehicle. Just starting and stopping constantly.
A memory I hold onto the most is purely from a drawing I did when I was a little kid in early elementary school, around first grade or so. We were asked to draw who we love and why we love them, and I picked my grandpa. For the drawing, which was done in crayon, I had me and my grandpa out in the garden. Stick figures of course, but he kept that drawing in between the house entrance and the fridge from the time it was drawn all the way to his passing in 2016.
It meant so much that something that simple impacted him in such a way. It showed how much I meant to him and when he passed, I lost a part of myself. Even 10 years later, it’s still hard to stomach, losing my best friend but I know he’s proud of me and we’ll meet again one day.
I guess the point of what I’m trying to say is like my first perspective article on National Grandparents Day, cherish every second, every minute with your grandparents if you have them in your life. Time is precious and honestly, a part of you thinks they are going to live forever but that’s not reality.
I could go on and on about the memories I had and how much he meant to me. But I have a challenge for those who read this story. If you have a grandparent in your life or someone who just means the world to you, call them or visit them and tell them that you love them. Give them a hug and let them know how blessed you are to have them in your life. You only get so many chances in this life to say “I love you” to someone, only so many chances to embrace each other. Make it count.
There’s so much animosity in this world and too much negativity. So find reinforcement, happiness, patience, life wisdom, along with unwavering love and support in the arms of your grandparents. You’re also guaranteed never to go hungry.
Like American writer and author Alex Haley once said, “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.”
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
