Now this isn't the most flattering picture of Grandpa Glenn and Pap, but it is certainly one with which we can have some fun. The fact of the matter is, grandpas are important (so are grandmas, but I didn't dare post a picture of grandmas looking this bad). Since I blog primarily for the kids so that they can remember significant things in their life, it is a good idea to remember grandpas.
I had the good fortune of having both my grandfathers until I was in college. Grandpa Glenn died first during either my freshman or sophomore year at Grove City College of an aortic aneurism. I remember him very well, wrinkly nose and all. He was a pipe and cigarette smoker. I remember him sitting on the back porch or in the back yard smoking. I remember going to the lumber yard where he worked. I remember he was a quiet and happy man. Dad tells me he loved watching boxing. I never knew that from first-hand experience. I'm not sure of Grandpa Glenn's spiritual condition but if I had to guess, I'd say he was a Christian. I was too young to know and/or care. I do however have memories of Grandpa Glenn in church. So I understand from Dad, Grandpa Glenn will be in heaven -- most likely. I'll look forward to seeing him.
Grandpa Landers was around a lot longer and we (mom, dad, Michelle, and Stan) saw him much more frequently. Many, many memories associated with Grandpa Landers: riding the Ferguson tractor, watching Stanley fall off the tractor and get nearly run over by Grandpa (Stan's fault -- sorry little, big brother for casting blame), Grandpa in the barn milking cows (come-bossy), Grandpa in the garden, Grandpa's jovial laugh, Grandpa standing on the porch calling "Dorrrrrrtha" (Grandma's name), riding in the car with Grandpa to downtown Cambridge Springs. I also have some more current memories of Grandpa as well: Grandpa crying (but trying not to) as he was telling me that Grandma had some sort of cancer (slow growing and not fatal) -- he was living in the Leslie Rd. house at the time; Grandpa working in the small woods behind the Leslie Rd. house -- every time we visited the woods was a little bit smaller. Grandpa was directing all his energies to some good use -- clearing the woods. I think it was a great vent for him and both he and the woods were better off for it. I'm guessing the neighbors were glad Grandpa moved before the woods became open pasture land (just kidding)!
The only memory I don't have of Grandpa Landers was seeing him in church very often. In this sense, Grandpa Landers and Grandpa Glenn are a study in contrasts. Grandpa Glenn was, I believe, a man of faith, but a quiet one. Grandpa Landers in his later days was more a man of faith than he was during our growing up years. For that, I'm thankful. But during my growing up years, I had one grandpa who I would consider a Christian and another with whom I had doubts.
My kids are more fortunate than I. They have two grandpas that explicitly profess Christ. Neither would claim to be perfect. In fact, each would be more than willing to point out flaws.......in the other grandpa!!!! Neither would claim to be perfect, but both are walking the Christian walk. Speaking as an experienced grandchild, I can tell you that the faith of my grandfathers was and still is significant. Fathers and grandfathers set the standard and I'm grateful to God that my kids have two grandfathers (and grandmothers) that profess Christ as their savior and strive to live humbly and obediently before Him. Whatever other memories they leave for my kids (and there are many not the least of which is their sense of humor and love of life), the memory of their love for Christ will be the most enduring and important.
They may not look so good in the picture above (in fact, I think they are both sleeping), but they're pretty on the inside! Thanks Grandpa Glenn and Pappy for first and foremost being a lover of Christ in front my kids.
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