Page 31 - Firehouse Pond

My knowledge base came from real-life experiences, told in the first-person;

embellished perhaps, and always captivating. Those men had seen so much;
World War One, the Great Depression, severe drought in the farmland, and
World War Two. They had met people from all walks of life, in nearly every

state of the Union and in faraway lands.

Grandpa and most of his buddies worked or had worked for the railroad for a
short time. Their travels were captivating. I remember later in life, thinking

back and wondering whether all the stories were true.

I settled on the belief that they were true enough and fact-based enough to

provide this little boy a “life-experience” education unlike anything available
in a textbook at Mark Twain School or any school or college I’ve attended
through the years.

My grandfather was a wise man. Although not schooled, he was the best
teacher I ever had. I know, I said that about my grandmother too. So, I guess

you could say I was blessed to have the two best teachers a little boy could
ever imagine. From A (ants) to Z (zebras), he could tell a story that
explained, educated, and left me wanting to know more.

Just as my Grandma would talk and read the Bible to me, Grandpa found
ways to turn each discussion into a “lessons-to-be-learned” for the youngster
in his company. Thanks for the education grandpa.

It goes without saying: My Grandpa was the man in my life. He never failed
me. He was always there; until dementia took away his mind and the toll of
hard physical labor withered his body. The days were sad as his memory

failed him and he slipped from us.

His passing left a crater wider than the Grand Canyon in this little boy’s heart.

He was a loving man that always tried to use every event or happening as a
learning experience.

I miss you, Grandpa.