Granddads and Grandkids (Reflecting on the past - Imagining the future)

I suppose it's natural at this time of year to reflect on the past and to set our sights on the future, but it's usually a relatively short time-span - the previous year and the next year. I find myself now thinking back to my childhood and thinking ahead for the next 20+ years. I also find myself thinking from the perspective of a grandfather, now that I am one.

My paternal grandfather was a difficult man to know. He was all work - no play, children should be seen not heard. You know the type. My brother and I would spend some time with him on the farm just about every summer. I suppose that was to give my parents a break from us. I didn't especially look forward to that time because Granddad would usually put us to work immediately, hoeing weeds in the garden or plowing a field - not exactly a kids idea of a vacation. He never really took an interest in us grandkids unless it was to help him do some work. We never went fishing in the pond, walking through the woods, or hunting crawdads in the creek. About the most fun we had was eating popcorn and watching wrestling on TV. Yes, wrestling was fake way back then too, but you couldn't convince my Granddad. On the flip side of things, I did look forward to Christmas at my Granddad's house. All the aunts, uncles, and cousins would show up so there was plenty of excitement and kids running around... and enough food to feed a small army. We weren't really close to my aunts, uncles, and cousins so it was a time for catching up and that means a lot of lively discussion. To sum it up, I guess there were some fond memories and some not-so-fond memories. Don't get me wrong. I totally respect my Granddad because I know he was an honest, God-fearing man who worked hard in difficult times to provide for his family. But somewhere along the way he forgot how to relax and have some fun.

My maternal grandfather, Pappa, was the exact opposite of my paternal grandfather. I have only fond memories of Pappa. He was a cool ole dude. Always had a smile and a joke or funny story to tell... and could he ever tell a story! Whenever we grandkids showed up, any thought of work stopped immediately and his attention was totally devoted to us. He lived in Florida at the time and his favorite passtime was fishing from piers. That worked out pretty good because we liked to go fishing with Pappa. He actually took time to show us how to fish and made us feel like we were important to him. The sad part of this story is that since he lived in Florida, we didn't get to spend much time with him. We were lucky if we got to see him once a year.

Having reflected back on my own grandfathers, the question comes to mind, which grandfather will I emulate? What will my relationship with my grandchildren be like? Will they one day think back to fond memories of their grandfather? I hope the answers are obvious. I want to be the cool ole dude grandfather, the one who takes an interest in them and plays with them and teaches them how to do things. I want to be their biggest fan, cheering them on in any situation. I want them to know that I think they're important, and that I'll always be honest with them even if they don't like what I have to say. Admittedly, this will not come naturally for the Dorris side of my character. Let's just hope the Pappa Jones side of my character is dominant when it comes to relations with grandkids.