Guys, today I may not mention rigs in any more than passing, but I have a story to tell you, and some wisdom to give.

My grandfather, who everybody knows is ill, is doing okay these days. He was out of bed for a while, and we were sitting around driving my grandmother crazy when I look up, and he's lowered his magazine just far enough that I can see that his face is COVERED in clothespins.

I'm trying to keep it together when my grandmother asks why the hell he has clothespins all over his face. He replies "Well, Eddie's got them, I wanted some earrings too." I fell in the floor laughing, and she left us to ourselves and let us be men.

I tell this story for this point. I and my grandfather are very close, and for the longest time we shared no common ground. Then, as I grew older, he taught me about hunting, and cars, and I went away to college, and grew into the man I am now. We once again had no common ground. Then, little by little, he sat with me as I screwed down a motherboard, or I asked him for electrical advice.

My grandfather had the best stories to tell as we worked together, and a person who never in their life touched a keyboard taught me more about modding than many people who live their lives behind one. He still asks to see my cases as I build them, and looks at my sketches with me.

We really do have a great time, and i'm enjoying sitting with him and causing trouble, or listening to his stories. He and I can see eye to eye over two generations and a vast cultural divide.

I say all this as I see younger members of the forum, many whom I truly enjoy hearing their exploits, say all kinds of things-flames, boasts, and such. I say what I can do, and I show it, and I try not to flame. Sure, I'm over 21, but there are peple here that are so much older than me with so much more experienced, and I often sit in long IM conversations with them just soaking up the information they love to give.

My granddad always listens to me, and he learns what little he can about what I do, and I listen to him, and learn huge amounts. Just as on PR, I show what I've done, but all that I've done is directly from conversations with people who have been before me.

I'm not ranting, or mad, I just had a revelation this week, over some clothespins and an angry grandmother. Guys, all of us can learn so much from one another. Why not act that way?

Well, I've said my peace, and it's probably rambling and incoherent. But, I'll at least try to say it and live by what I say...

Quote: Originally posted by KayinStorm Well, I've said my peace, and it's probably rambling and incoherent. But, I'll at least try to say it and live by what I say...

That was not at all incoherent and in fact reminds me a LOT of my relationship with my grandfather before he passed away 5 years ago. It shows you have a good head on your shoulders, especially since you realize the importance of "meaningful relationships" and that you can learn from anyone, young or old.
I hope that your bond becomes even tighter as the days pass.

Hmm... My grandfather on my Mom's side disowned our side of the family... so I've never met him. He's died recently and I feel nothing.

My other Grandfather I met twice. I liked him, but I didn't really get to know him. He also recently died, and I wish I would have gotten to know him better...

My father taught me that work comes before family and he probably would have been happier without my birth.

You're lucky to have someone so close. My Mom and I are pretty close, but you don't do the whole "guy" thing around females... they tend to run off screaming into the night when exposed to the male psyche

I've never been close to any of my immediate family. It has only been in the last couple of years or so that I have started interact with my father again. It's hard to bond when you leave home and school at 14 to work as a steel siding applicator and try to stay one step ahead of State Youth Authority.

Even though I have no regrets, I realize that family is important. That's why I'm very aware of my role as father to my children. It sounds like your grandfather is one hell of a dude, enjoy your time together.

I have a decent relationship with my mom and grandmother.
dad and granddad have passed ,i wish i could have had more time to share with them.
it all boils down to this:
you cant change anything in the past,but today and the future have yet to be written in history.
AND,knowledge comes from wherever you can find it.you only need to look.

Well put Kayin. Enjoy your folks while you can if you can.

very well said kayin, i never really knew my grandparents since they all died when i was young, but i understand what your sayin,. as hard as it may be, just keep a positive attitude and move forward. you'll do just fine my (new) freind.