One of the Influential Men in my Life…

I’d like to take a moment to talk about my father’s father. Grandpa was a creative lighthearted man. While my sister spent the majority of her time with my grandmother, I would be doodling, playing games, or listening to my grandfather’s funny stories of his childhood.

Grandpa was in World War II. He served in the Pacific theater. He didn’t see much action, but he managed to bide his time by putting together an impromptu darkroom that he called the Bug Hut. I have seen the pictures from the Bug Hut; they were of soldiers, natives, and a beautiful tropical island.

My grandfather had books of black and white photos. The pictures gave you a feel of what the town we live in was once like and all the fun and playful things my grandfather and his friends used to do, like spend hot summer days at the local swimming hole. There are pictures of my beautiful and glamorous grandmother and pictures of my father and uncle when they were kids. I love this pictures each one is like a family treasure. However, the sad truth is I don’t know where any of these photo albums are today.

Recently, I went to go visit my grandfather at the veterans’ hospital in Bath, NY with my parents, my nephew, and my fiancé. My grandfather now suffers from dementia and it is hard to know if you are reaching him. So, I decided to bring a whole pile of pictures both old and new to show him his family and my life. There were pictures of me, my fiancé, and our puppy, pictures of our house, and a variety of family pictures of my grandmother, sister, nephew, and parents. I believe the pictures got through to him. There was one picture that he held on to in particular, it was a picture of me and him when I was a little girl. I love this picture so very much!

Happy Father’s Day to all you great and influential men out there!!!