A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Things 1 and 4

Thing 1 and Thing 4 visited last night. The eldest grand selected "Thing 4" because his outfit came with four digits 1–4 and 4 was the closest to 5 (his age). I love how kids think.


Thing 1 thoroughly enjoyed being Thing 1 and told me that Thing 1 didn't feel like cleaning the house so Thing 1 was leaving. (Seems to have been stuck on speaking of himself in the third person.) He emptied all of his candy into mine in a reverse trick or treat. The face he's making at the miniature Kit-Kat almost says Do I have to eat the rest of that? Wish that I had a similar problem.

Notice the pumpkins? John used his drill to create polka dots and to spell out the grands' names. What a blessing he is to these boys whose own paternal grandfather died long before they were born. They adore him and he thinks that they are mighty fine, too.

In my own childhood and into my 30s, I was blessed with a "substitute" grandfather. He could not have done a finer job of grandparenting if he had been a blood relative. He was a gentleman, polite and quiet, and one with whom I felt perfectly at ease. I could listen to him play his violin for hours and be content. Though a man of few words, he gave wise counsel when asked. He loved his garden allowing my sister and me to join him there and teaching us about the earth and the plants. He loved making us little trinkets and toys and would happily play "Go Fish" or teach us how to for real. Even now, I sometimes often find myself missing him.

Do you have some special people in your life who, though not related, are family?


33 comments:

  1. I love Thing 1 and Thing 4! :)

    John is a genius I think - I would have spent tons of time carving out those holes...tell him, next year I am totally stealing his idea!

    You are all blessed to share your lives together.

    Tim and I have friends that we are close to and the are Uncle and Aunt to our children. It is a mutual admiration society on all their parts. We're blessed.

    The surprise went off perfectly! Thanks for keeping my secret!

    Deanna

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  2. Love those pumpkins!! When I grew up my parents had good friends May and Don. They were like second parents to us and we called them Mama May and Daddy Don...

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  3. What a great idea and fine John did on those pumpkins. My dear dear Aunt Martha who is 97 is about to leave my world. She is a big figure in my gratitude post for today.
    QMM

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  4. Oh! Vee this is so sweet, your grandkids are so cute. And why am I not surprised that John would do something sweet like this.
    I too had a substitute grandfather, as mine past away before I was born. He was my great uncle who lived with my grandmother. He was much like your "substitute" grandfather, and I miss and think of him often.
    The faithfulness of God always sets me in awe! Just as he provided for you and I, He now has given your grandchildren such a fine man.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  5. Awww Vee, your grands are such precious "things"!!! And John is such an angel for taking the time to make those very special pumpkins for them too! Children never forget those special souls that take time for them, do they? Hope you are cozy this fall morn, hugs and love, Dawn

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  6. My mother's friend, Josie, became a Rock of Gibraltar for me. When "Aunt Josie" passed, I felt like a vital part of me was cut away. She taught me important Bible principles; how to finish tasks in a timely manner; and how to reach out to people outside my family.

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  7. Hi Vee, I just knew John would be a wonderful grandfather. He may not share their blood, but is a grandfather in all the ways that count! Love the pumpkins, that is a clever idea. Your g'sons are adorable.
    I was never part of a very big extended family. My dad had close friends that were Uncle C and Aunt E to my brothers and I. I loved them as much as I would have real relatives. They were a bit older than my parents, and they both passed away before I was married.

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  8. Love the "Things" you had as guests last night. (I've never had trouble finishing ANY piece of candy... just sayin'.) Your grands are such darling boys and yes they are so blessed to have you AND your hubby. Grandfathers are very special... I really didn't have any. I had one grandma, Meme, and she was everything. All us grandkids put her up on a pedestal in our memories. My one grandfather was very ill from an addiction and I only remember seeing him once. Then my boys only had one grandma, my Mother, odd isn't it? But my grands have a full tally on grandmas & grandpas and I'm so happy for them!

    I would say my darling DIL, Chris, is like a real daughter to me. We think alike on most things and like the same things and have a grand time together. My sister, Nancy, was like a little Mom to me.

    I've been very blessed with people in my life that love me.

    And I'm so glad I met such a nice gal as you Vee!!

    Hugs, Sherry

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  9. Thing 1 and Thing 4 are the cutest"Things" I've ever seen! :)
    Love the pumpkins. You're right, the grands are very lucky to have John.

    None of my Grandparents cared for me. Somehow, they were all very selfish people. I did have a step grandmother but, my grandfather kept her pretty wrapped up in his drama....

    I want to be like you and John when my turn comes to be a grand parent. You guys do it the way it should be done. :)
    Thank you for being such a wonderful example Vee. I appreciate it.

    ((Hugs))
    Laura

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  10. Cute kids! What a great idea for personalizing the pumpkins!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  11. How fun to have your grandsons visit for Halloween Vee. I love the pumpkins John made. Growing up we had a lot of "aunts" and "uncles" who were not related. It was proper courtesy to call close family friends that. I tried that with my children and a dear older lady in our church but she said just call me Bessie. That ended the polite tradition in our family. Such a shame. Our great uncle and aunt were more like grandparents to us and we spent a lot more time with them than with our Grammie. I cherish the memories of those times. Have a blessed day! Hugs, Pamela

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  12. Vee, I forgot to mention that I love your new banner photo! Very pretty.

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  13. Love those photos, love those pumpkins. Clever, that John! ;)

    I had "city" grandparents who I hardly ever saw. But, my "country" grandma & grandpa were the best. I have so many wonderful memories of spending time with them. Thanks for reminding me!

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  14. Do the expressions on each face accurately describe the personalities of your grands? They seem like two complete opposites in that Thing1 would rather be anywhere but here, and Thing4 is all about the candy stash, dreaming of candy-filled days ahead. Ha! What cuties!

    That John - what a special guy! You are all blessed to have him as part of your lives.

    Happy November, Vee!

    - Leah

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  15. What an interesting question Vee. One grandfather died when I was 9 and I only remember visiting him in the hospital and my other grandfather lived a province away and I only ever saw him on three trips we made to visit my mother's family. When our son was 18 months we were transferred to a small town and it turned out that there were three sets of "grandparents" right next door and across the street, ready to adopt him even though he had grandparents who were devoted and far away. Subsequent neighbours moved in after our daughter was born and the same thing happened. It was wonderful to live in a community where "grandparents" were evenly matched with young families. It's great for everyone. Lucky John and your lucky little grandsons!

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  16. There is something very special about a man of integrity investing in boys lives. I really commend John for doing that and clearly is not forced to. He'll might never fully realize the impact here on earth.

    Love those costumes!

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  17. How adorable! And I **LOVE** the pumpkins and the idea of their names..so great. The children are very fortunate to have someone in their lives, anyone, who can love them and give them council. Substitute or the real-deal, it really does take a village..

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  18. Love the pumpkins with their names drilled! Too funny about not being that thrilled with candy. We really can't have too many people in our lives who love us and nurture us. I had some teachers growing up that really believed in me...

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  19. Absolutely! My best friend is like a sister to me. xo

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  20. Love the pumpkins! Oh yes, I've a few true friends that I consider family; often moreso than my blood relations.

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  21. Yes, my stepfather. : ) He came into my life when i was 18 and has been like a second dad to me. Has always treated me like a daughter. My Daddy died in 1999 and though my step dad could never take his place he has always been there for me. I love him dearly. He is probably the reason that me and my mom still talk to each other.

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  22. My husband makes a great Papa to our grands. He has as much fun as they do when it comes to parties. You should have seen him last night with the trick-or-treaters. Wore a mask and everything. I had an uncle that I was especially close to. Next to my dad I could count on him for anything.

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  23. Those 'Things' are definitely keepers! and who says that people have to be related to be family? I volunteer every week feeding the homeless with a wonderful group of people and they are 'family' to me!

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  24. It takes all kinds of "Things" to make this world go 'round! So cute! Love Thing 1's expressions...

    Yes, in answer to your question. In our church we have care groups. Back when Tony and I were in our 30's, we had an older couple in our group who we both became very close to. They were like an extra set of parents and we loved them dearly. Their children did not live here so they adopted us. The Mr. passed away a couple of years ago, and I miss him alot. He had the most booming voice but most gentle spirit about him and we loved to hear him get up and read the Bible from the pulpit (imagine James Earl Jones here). His wife is ailing and going down now. They were both in their 80's. I like to think the Lord has Jim making announcements in heaven...

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  25. Those 'Things' of yours are sure cute! And Thing#1 does look like another piece of candy could make him ill!
    I love John's idea of drilling thier names on the pumpkins-so neat and personal.
    I had a dear couple that was like a Mom and Dad to me when I lived so far away from mine. We both have both moved away and don't see each other, but the memories of their kindness will live in my heart forever.

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  26. Thing 1 and Thing 4 - what a great idea for costumes. I have a box of leftover treats that I've stashed away in a dark corner, hoping they don't come out to haunt me.

    During our years in Ecuador friends became family over and over. Our children continue to call our friends "aunt" and "uncle." They were a part of their childhood in a way that our family in Canada could not be. I'm so glad that God gives us family far away.

    Things 1 and 4 are so blessed with John, and I think, he with them.

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  27. Hi Vee!

    What cuties! The pumpkins are cute too . . . ;0)

    I lost my father when I was 29, he passed away on Halloween, so I have been thinking of him a lot. After eight years of being single, my mother married the most wonderful man! He was wonderful, compassionate, kind and loved us like we were his own. I was married and had three children that he loved like his own grandchildren - I really miss him too! Thank goodness for wonderful men and women who bless our lives!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  28. I wish that I had. I guess the best person to fill that void would have been my grandmother. She took care of us sometimes and enjoyed us so much. I miss her.

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  29. Your grandboys are adorable in their halloween costumes, Vee! I have a few photos of mine on my last post.

    Sadly, both my grandfathers died when my parents were children. My paternal grandmother lived with us when I was born but passed away when I was three. I remember the day she passed -- my first memory! My maternal grandmother passed on my 16 birthday.
    I often hope that my husband and I will be here a bit longer for our grandchildren, God willing.

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  30. Hi Vee~

    Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog . . . your words are so precious and true.

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  31. I love their costumes!

    How special for your grandsons to have John being such a wonderful influence in their lives! I grew up with a substitute grandpa...who replaced my maternal grandfather who passed away before I was born. I never thought of him as anything but the 'real thing'...a loving, caring and giving grandfather to me. I have only fond memories of him...my Grandpa John!

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  32. What darling outfits for those little "things!" I liked John's idea to punch holes in the pumpkins and must remember to do that next year.

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  33. I never knew my paternal grandfather who died when I was 2 but was blessed with a maternal grandfather until I was 13. Not a hands on guy like these days but always had a bag of sweets hidden on the mantle piece and he made a great Father Christmas

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