Grandfathers Are Sources of Stories and Wisdom

The genuine value of a grandfather’s love

 

Victor Hugo once said, “There are fathers who do not love their children; there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson.” I find this very much agreeable. Being a grandfather is a great gift, because there is no comparable joy to seeing your grandchild for the first time. Much of my purpose right now is devoted to being an excellent grandfather to my grandchildren, imparting the things I have learned with the hopes of helping them become the best versions of themselves. One way of leaving them a tangible legacy is through my poetry books, which are a mix of my two passions—poetry and photography.

As a poet and photographer, it is inevitable for me to feature my family in my works; they have been my main inspiration. I am a proud grandfather, and it is evident in my book that I am certainly fond of my grandchildren. Like in Picture Poems Volume I, the photo of the chipmunk is the one my grandson, Jeremy Thomas (JT), named Nacho in my YouTube video “Chubby the Chipmunk and Other Poems.” In Volume II, the photograph from poem number 28, “Hanging Flowers,” was a snapshot JT took when he was nine. And so was the photograph in poem number 4, “Little Bunny,” of Volume III. I have written over a hundred poems about my family and my grandchildren. These poems might soon be published in a book.

It is great to be a grandfather. You get to play with your grandchildren, teach them, spoil them, and then send them home to their parents. It’s good to be able to offer advice and to be asked for one. The times I spend with them—teaching them photography, sharing my love for the outdoors, adventure, and the beauty of simple things—helps keep me young. And if there’s one thing I can promise my grandchildren, it’s that nothing will ever beat their grandfather’s love.

Share the best moments you had with your grandchildren in the comments below, or tweet me @thomasreischel. I would love to hear them. You may also find me on Facebook and Goodreads. Check out my books, Picture Poems as well!