Grandpa,
Next week would have been my 40th wedding anniversary, except that I threw that old man out (many) years ago. I just got a card from him telling me, “thank you for the good years together”. I don’t know if he is sincere or being a smart (deleted). I want to answer him in kind. I do not choose to re-open any sort of relationship with him. What would be the best way to hurt him deeply without breaking any laws?
Grandpa says: Revenge is a dish best served cold. So why are you looking for revenge? You tossed him out, right? Are you, perhaps, angry that he moved on with his life? Are you in denial about missing him? Whatever the situation, you are hurting yourself more than you could ever hurt him with your anger. Let bygones be bygones. Ignore the date. Hold the fond memories and discard the discord. I am guessing that his intent was nothing more than what the card said, a thank you note for the good memories. Let the dish of revenge cool for another 50 years or so.
Grandpa,
Please settle a question for us. I say the Gay Pride movement started in California. My friend said it started in Boston. We have a pizza bet on who I right.
Grandpa says: My answer will depend on whether you let me get anchovies on my part of the pizza. According to Richard Schneider Jr., editor of the book In Search Of Stonewall, the first pride parade was in New York Sunday, July 8, 1970. Marchers gathered at Sheridan Square between noon and 1 p.m.. Marchers walked up Sixth Avenue to Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. The march culminated in a Gay-In.
I found no verifiable information about the organizers. Although the original march was about “coming out of the closet”, much has changed in the last 50 years. There is less emphasis on the sexual orientation of the individual and more on the concept of accepting individuals as they are, regardless of title, slur names, orientation or any other social bug-a-boo. I perceive it is more about the theme I saw printed on T-shirts at last year’s parade in Aurora: “Pride means never having to apologize for being yourself.” Much has changed in these past 50 years. Most of these changes in social understanding and acceptance have been positive in human relationships; the civil rights movement, the generation of the Americans with disabilities laws, even the advances in science. medicine, and communication. Communication is the key to social understanding. One change that Grandpa is not at all happy about is the fact that very few pizza parlors still offer anchovies as an optional ingredient. So, because neither of you was right, I think you should split the cost of our pizza.
Grandpa says: There is a critical need in our food pantries across the Fox Valley. Please consider a donation of non-perishable food and or money to your local pantry. Contact your favorite pantry to find out how and where you can make a difference.
Got something stuck in your craw? Ask Grandpa. Address your letters to Ask Grandpa c/o The Voice, PO Box 123,
Aurora, IL 60507 or send an E-mail to askgrandpa@thevoice.us.