Tag Archives: grandfather

Put Enough Paint On The Brush

“Life is like a sponge. It’s a balance between soaking the right amount of fun and squeezing out the right amount of work.”

—Susan Gale


Today’s story is contributed by Tom Krause.

One day my grandfather taught me a valuable lesson about life.

Grandpa was a house painter.

 

My grandfather was a house painter. In his lifetime he must have painted hundreds of houses inside and out. He was a happy, outgoing man who made friends easily. It wasn’t hard to tell that he loved his work as well as his life. He was also an excellent painter. No one could paint a wall like grandpa. Consequently, he was always in demand.

Once, while in college, I went to help Grandpa paint a house. While working inside, I noticed how skilled he was at giving a wall a quality coat of paint so quickly. As a matter of fact, he could carry on a conversation with the homeowner, laughing all the time, while painting three walls to my one. READ MORE 

Father Time

“Are you fighting with your father, or losing time with your dad? Father time.”

—Brian “Trigs” Hague


by Brian “Trigs” Hague

I never really knew my grandfather, Chubby. I was too young to remember what he was like. I wish I could remember the day I met him for the first time. From what I’ve been told, it changed my dad’s life.

father time

Brian, Chubby, and Jason, taken on the day dad and Chubby reunited. Chubby still looking a little “shook up.”

Dad returned to Cincinnati after law school to work for Chubby’s real estate firm. They quarreled occasionally, as fathers and sons do, especially in a family business. Dad told me later he realized it was mostly his fault. He was school educated, so he presumed he was also business smart.

My dad and my granddad disagreed on how to run the business, a lot. One fight went too far. Horrible things were said. A standoff ensued. My dad worked in a second floor office. Chubby’s office was downstairs. They didn’t speak for six months.

My mom was pregnant with me at the time. I was born May 24, 1978. Almost twelve pounds. Mom had a cesarean section, and needed a few days in the hospital to recover. Dad was overjoyed. His first-born son. READ MORE 

B Positive

“Momma always said, ‘There’s only so much fortune a man really needs, and the rest is just for showing off…'”

—Forrest Gump


Today’s story is from David Hirsch.

Grandfather

Grandfather Sam Solomon with David (9 mo.), 1961

Sometimes in life, the one we call Dad isn’t our real father. For me, “Dad” was my grandfather, Sam Solomon. He was my greatest role model, a trusted confidant, and my best friend. He taught me by his example many lessons about fatherhood.

Sam and his older brother Joe owned a chain of pharmacies in Chicago, during prohibition and through the 40’s, known as Solomon Bros. Drug Stores. Officially retired at 45, his work was far from complete. He went on to serve as a volunteer pharmacist for an additional 45 years. A man of great humility — he kept just one nice suit for special occasions. READ MORE 

Guiding a Child by Example

Guiding a Child by Example…

Some heroes wear capes. Some fly and fight crime. Others enrich us with love and their time.


Dr. Tedd Mitchell

Dr. Tedd Mitchell

Dr. Tedd Mitchell is a remarkable man. President of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, he is an Internist, speaker and national authority on health. Dr. Mitchell has written for USA Today Weekend, served on the National Council for Fitness and Sports, and authored two popular books.

Sharing the story of his personal hero, Dr. Tedd Mitchell told us about his Grandfather Johnston, known as “Mr. Ted” to the folks of Grayson, Louisiana:

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