Recently in The Voice, the announcement was made of the passing of the conductor of the column, Ask Grandpa, which provided readers with 503 weeks of sage advice, humor, and continuity. Below is the repeat of the January 7 column on gratitude and counting our blessings. There is a reference to the Thanksgiving Gratitude column which we will run in the November 18 issue. Willing participants should send to Ask Grandpa, The Voice, P.O. Box 123, Aurora, IL 60507, or send E-mail address to askgrandpa@thevoice.us. Deadline to receive items of gratitude is November 8.
Grandpa says: There were a few letters that came in after the Thanksgiving Gratitude column was filled and sent to the publisher. Grandpa believes that it is appropriate to publish them as the first column of the New Year. As we reflect on the good times of the past, we have renewed hope for the future.
Grandpa,
This year, we just have to report that we had a few babies, a bit of trouble and pain, but then, whoop! — could we ever do it all again? We were grateful to have “simply lived” it to our 50th wedding anniversary — it was sweeter than wine. “Happily ever after” was just the beginning….
Grandpa says: Thank you for your lovely upbeat letter! I did exclude the date of your anniversary so as to keep it anonymous. Bless you both and I wish you many, many, more happy years together!
Grandpa,
I count my blessings; I have food, shelter and can live within my means by cutting out things I don’t need. I am not a slave to the lenders and their high interest rates. I learned by the 1929 depression, I am 90 (plus) years old, to stay out of debt and appreciate what you have. I am glad I was born poor. I know what it is like to live within your means. If I had been born rich, I would not know what it is like to live poor. We are in a depression right now, just like in 1929, but it is called “high inflation”.
Grandpa says: My own beloved grandfather lived through the depression in the 1930s, raised a family and worked every menial job offered to him. The one thing he never did in his entire life was borrow money. He saved until he could afford to pay cash for his home. I believe he taught me well on prudence and gratitude. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Grandpa,
I am grateful that we have an election process where we can voice our opinion about the people we hire to lead our town, our county, our state and our country. I may not always agree with the leaders who get elected, but as long as it is the majority rule, it is fair. I do wish that people would run for office on the issues of what is important and not on personal dislike for the other candidates. Happily, as a voter, I have the right to vote against the candidates who run a campaign based on negativity. The kind of campaign a (person) runs shows the kind of soul the (person) has. I will never vote for a negative or hateful (person).
Grandpa says: A negative attitude in any kind of a job is like wearing a ball and chain to a swimming competition. After you are out of the water, nobody remembers your name but they do continue to remember your foolishness. Thank you for sharing your positive light on the election process. May we always have candidates worthy of our trust. May we never need settle for the lesser evil.