i-Relate: Blessing #1-John Phillip King

Naturally, one of the first people who come to my mind when I think of blessings as a male, is my

grandfather.

My grandfather was one of the wisest, simplest, and most compassionate men I have ever known.Most who knew him would equate him to John Wayne. He grew up in the Ozarks of Arkansas, never finished his education so that he could help his family make ends meet. When he was old enough he left for Kansas where he worked at a Carbon Plant. He met my grandmother there. My grandfather, John King,would move to Shamrock, Texas in the 1950's where he raised his 5 children. Grandpa was a man who knew every kind of plant, tree, shrub, animals, etc. He worked long hard hours, yet he was still

a father and grandfather. He did his very best to teach his kids how to survive, how to hunt, fish, camp, cook etc. Grandpa, "Pa Pa" as we all called him was a man who took care of everyone who was around him, whether it be time, money, or extreme physical labor, he gave unsparingly. Grandpa would never except restitution for things he did, nor would ever take the spotlight. Matter of fact, his weakest flaw was his pride. He was a proud man who did not believe in borrowing from others, for himself, unless it was an extreme emergency. And even when he did, he was quick to repay and generally found a way to repay with interest (financially, or otherwise). He had many opportunities in life to advance in his workplace but never wanted to be a foreman or to be "over" someone. He didn't find pleasure in power. Though he showed so much compassion to others, he was very hard on himself. He, with the help of my grandmother, raised five kids, paid for his home, and always made sure there friends, family, and neighbors were not in want. He made no elaborate vacations or made expensive purchases, he made sacrifices where his children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren could advance in life. He literally "laid down his life" for others! One of the last things my grandfather told me was "Get your education, and go as far as you can. I didn't amount to much, but you can". I choked back tears as he said those very words. I struggled for the right words, but told him how much I thought of him. (Well as much as he would let me say, he wasn't a mush and gush kind of guy). My words were not adequate for what I feel. The world lost a giant when he died, as the saying goes...a gentle giant! To the man who took no honor upon himself, this is what I would say to him:

Grandpa, though your pride of allowing the rest of us to do things for you often got in the way, we know you were teaching us the lessons of giving and not receiving in return. Tell me where you failed in life, and I'll tell you where you succeeded. I know my list will succeed a mile past yours. Your work ethic, your dedication to your family, your love for your neighbor was greater than any I have ever known. You taught me how to work hard and be proud of my results, without pride. You taught me how to care for a stranger, as much as one of our own family members. You taught me not to look to vanity for the answers. You taught me to survive off less. To give more in this life than I take. You taught me the value of a dollar. You taught me to save.You had a strong passion for others safety, a worry-wart too I have become :) Sometimes, as kids do we didn't always see your way, now we're so much older now and so much you taught us we never learned in a book, we learned from you! When I see all the models in our lives, I'm so glad when I see

reflections of you still living in me today. You are my hero grandpa!

Thank you for making all the difference in the world!