[btb87]

After posting in the "Soror Ladygreek has lost a loved one" thread, I really began thinking about my grandfather, who was more a father to me than my own natural father.

He died just 2 days after his 83rd birthday (2 and a half years ago) of complications due to a stroke. He and my grandmother reared me from the age of 2, after my parents separated. Neither he nor my grandmother had more than a 6th grade education, and they couldn't afford to send any of their 5 children to college, so even before I was old enough to understand the concept of college, I knew I was going! There were many times I wanted to give up, but I felt like I couldn't disappoint my family.

My grandfather was a hard working man, and growing up in rural North Carolina without formal educations, there wasn't much jobwise that he or my grandmother could do. My grandmother was a domestic until she retired, and my grandfather worked in the hot sun patching potholes in city streets. Before that, he and my grandmother did sharecropping and farming, planting gardens, working in fields. It was hard work, but they did what they had to do to provide for their family. I know their work was demeaning, but I know that I never knew hunger and always had a roof over my head and clothes on my body, all because of their provision.

Unfortunately, they couldn't really help me with my homework if I had problems, but there were other areas where they taught me a lot more than what was in textbooks. I learned respect for my elders (and yes, I still say yes/no ma'am, yes/no sir) and learned how to talk to people. I believe because of my time with them, I have a love of older people. They can teach you so much!

I apologize for the length of this post, but there are so many memories! This isn't just a tribute to my grandfather, but to my grandmother as well who turned 85 on June 3rd and is still going strong.

As I sit here typing this, I've had to stop and wipe tears. Although I left home 16 years ago and only see/saw the grands a couple of times a year, it's hard to go home now and know that I won't see my grandfather come out of the "back room" (as we called their bedroom) or listen to his many stories. He and my grandmother shared 61 years together, and I thank God for them. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for them.

CT4, thank you for this thread.