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| Grandpa Homer was in the Army during WWII and spent time in the Pacific. |
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| Grandpa Jones was in the Navy in the late 1940's and was a photographer. |
When I think about the things I learned from my grandpa(s), there are lots of experiences that fly through my mind. My Grandpa Homer was a huge part of my life.... he lived next door for most of my life. It's funny because when I was a kid, if I walked into the house and my Grandma was gone, I would turn around and walk right back out the door. Willard was a character; and some of my best stories about him result in me laying on the driveway in December or sitting (not so) patiently by as he asked the nearest male for help solving whatever problem was currently before him. He was a man of the times; traditional in every sense of the word. Sometimes (most of the time) it drove me nuts..... but as I grew up and grew older, it was something I grew to appreciate.
Despite the fact that he and my grandma always enjoyed a great debate, political or otherwise, he loved her very much. When I was in high school, I had several opportunities to spend time with my grandparents and it became evident to me that my Grandma was his treasure. He took care of her, worked hard to provide for her, they traveled together, went to plays and when they were separated, he literally could not function. I thought that was weird. My parents weren't like that. And yet, they are now.
I always found myself wondering what it was that kept them together. A lot of the time they seemed like oil and water. But they were committed to each other. They took care of each other; sometimes in big ways and sometimes in small ways. I discovered while my grandpa was hospitalized for a period in time that my grandma didn't know how to put gas in her car! That amazed me. She didn't know where her checkbook was! How did that happen post-2000? He didn't cook for himself; unless it was eggs for breakfast.
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| My grandparents, Willard & Shirley Homer, on their 60th Wedding Anniversary January 19, 2006 |
I learned that things don't have to be perfect to be good. I learned that some of the best things in life are peppered bacon hidden candy bars. I learned that showing up on time to work was the easiest thing to do in your day and at the end of the day, the fact that you had a job was it's own reward. I learned that it can be hard to have integrity in life; there are a lot of gray areas. But, your integrity is the hallmark of your character. People will try to take advantage of you and what you have to offer; "to thine own self be true." Do the right things for the right reasons..... even if your method is flawed and you have to start over from time to time. Be loyal!
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| My Grandpa "Jack" with his namesake, Jack Matthew Pierce. Jack's Blessing Day, March 2006 |
My Grandpa Jones wasn't around as much when I was younger, but I always looked forward to my visits with my mom's parents. Looking back, the amount of patience and love that my Grandpa Jones had for his grandchildren seems amazing. When I would visit, he would take me to work with him. He would drive me around to make sure that I got a chance to stay with all of my cousins; even though I know I made it hard because I got homesick real easy and would spend nearly my entire trip wanting to be somewhere I wasn't. There were things that my cousins and I did at my grandparents house that I would scalp my own kids for. My grandparents were content to let us make up games, play make-believe, and didn't get mad when we'd hide their cigarettes and lighters in the freezer. Grandpa was up early every day. I'd come into the kitchen to find him and Grandma playing cribbage and drinking coffee. There is something to be said for those early morning hours and I wish I could discipline myself to take better advantage of them.
My grandpa remembered near everyone he ever met. If he couldn't recall them immediately, there was no moving on in the conversation until he did. My grandpa loved dogs; all dogs. I blame him for my dog problem. He loved his Vitamin R. He loved his grandkids and smelled like Old Spice. My grandpa loved his family; brothers, sisters, in-laws.... they were all one big happy clan in Hood River. Some of my best memories from my early married years took place with my Grandpa Jones. He taught me to make apple and peach pies. He taught me the importance of locking doors and checking for expiration dates on food (NOT!)
But mostly, he taught me how to keep going; even when I'd messed up. Don't give up, start over. He taught me that life is a series of lessons and experiences and they all build upon each other. And my grandpa taught me that it is never too late. After years of being around the Mormon Church because of my family, he decided in his last few months on earth that he wanted to join us. Watching him get baptized, and being able to share that with all of my family, was one of the most touching things I think I will ever be privileged to see. Grandpa taught me that second chances are real and that life keeps on going.
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| My parents and my brothers with my Grandpa Jones on the day he was baptized. June 8, 2014 |
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| Grandpa Jones and all of his great-grandchildren: Erin, Allie, Jack & Will Pierce; Leah & Andrew Homer; Lizzie, Abbey & Charlotte Homer June 8, 2014 |
All of these lessons, from both sides of my family, have helped to shape me into the person I am today. There are parts of them that I cherish, parts of them that I secretly curse and parts of them that I simply stand in awe of. They were two very different men but both of them loved me very much. And that love and acceptance is something that I see mirrored and displayed by both of my parents toward my own children.
Thank you to Willard and Wayne for your love, legacy and lessons.
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