I have no idea where these children are, who they are or how old they are but, I do know one thing. It looks as though, everyday they went through the exact same toil that my granddaddy did.Up until he was nine years old, he and his family lived in town and then the moved to the country. In one day they all walked at least 20 miles, carrying all their stuff, which was not much. Graddaddy told daddy that that night he cried himself to sleep when he finally did go to sleep. Granddaddy picked cotton, went to school only up to the fourth grade and so many other that would take forever to name that no child should ever have to do. Not only did he have to pick the cotton at their house, but in order to pay for the house, they worked for other people. The three oldedest daughters worked in town, so at the young and tender age of 12, granddaddy's older sister had to take care of the babies and the house. Granddaddy told daddy about many nights when he would go to bed hungry. This is only a little piece of what Granddaddy went through. I never knew him but him and daddy were very close and Daddy talks about him all the time and loves telling us about him. When Granddaddy got married he bought the old homeplace where he had grown up and the land across the road. Graddaddy and Grandmother raised four wonderful children and were themselves faithful children of God's Kingdom. Grandmother still is but Granddaddy is now with the rest of his family and in the presence of Christ. With all that he went through, he of all people, had a right to be bitter, but he wasn't! When I get mad, or want to be bitter towards someone, I need think of him and his attitude.
With all that he went through Granddaddy left Daddy 86 acres, his younger brother 86 acres and then a whole other farm to his oldest two children and a house for Grandmother.But the sad and amazing thing is, is that he died unexptedly and left all this! And Grandmother was always right there with him. I hope and pray that I can be like my Grandmother and Mama and that my brother's can be like my daddy and Granddaddy. They went through so much so that I could be here today.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for all that you have given to me and my family.
Thank you so much for all that Granddaddy left for daddy and the rest of his children.
Thank you for the lagacy that he left.
Amen.
As I was writing, I was reminded of something else that Granddaddy did. Anywhere we go and older people don't know who we are and we say that we are Ralph's grandchildren, most of the time they know exactly who he was and the conversation turns into what a good person he was. And because of his honesty and godly character people respect Daddy and the rest of his children. He did so much! Thank you granddaddy!
