Grandpa’s Gifts: Precious & Rare
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| Grandpa and Priscilla -- Grandpa's Little Jewel. |
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| Priscilla: I loved that poem... |
When I think of Grandpa, one of the first things that comes to my mind is the book of poetry and writings that he made as a gift in honor of his grandchildren. The poetry collection was in my childhood bookshelf, and I read it over and over again throughout my youth. In particular, I remember the poem that he wrote about me. Although our family’s copy of the book is back in Maryland—and I haven’t been able to read it for many years now—just moments ago I was able to reproduce this poem from memory. Clearly, it’s made a very permanent impression.
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"Does memory serve us by marking a few choice items for what they can tell us?" --Grandpa Bob
Memo to Priscilla, on the subject of childhood memories. |
I loved that poem. It fascinated me to see myself through my grandfather’s lens. I don't think I’m exaggerating when I say that his descriptions of me solidified parts of my own self-image. Growing up, the adults and peers around me constantly tried to brand me as “shy” (much to my annoyance). I found it significant and encouraging that my own grandpa—as stated in his poem—recognized that I was “shy no more”. It made me feel that we were kindred and that he understood the mind behind my often-quiet exterior. It’s also true that I sometimes see myself fitting the other roles that the poem gave me: as a “style-conscious fashion plate”, a “connoisseur of song”, or one who tends to “play it cool and talk of weighty matters”. And I always marveled at the line in which he labeled me as a “little jewel”; it seemed to imply that—in Grandpa’s eyes—I was precious and rare.
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"Absolutely necessary in my choice of a husband."
Priscilla & Joe Alderman |
I remember sharing this book of poetry with my closest friends when they would come to visit. Not only did I want to share this vision of myself that I so treasured, but I also wanted to subtly boast that my grandpa was the type of man who spent his spare time composing verse. While other grandfathers were only into golfing, or bingo, or ESPN, I was proud that Grandpa was an intellectual with a rich interior life. In trying to replicate this romantic pursuit that both Grandpa and Grandma were so fond of, I spent hours filling up journals with poems and recollections by nightlight. And this continued, in some form or another, until I had an MFA in creative writing.
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Priscilla: Montessori Teacher
Still cool after all these years... |
In my mind, this is the tone that Grandpa has set for our family; I see us as a family with intellectual leanings. We learn for the pleasure of learning, and we know the intrinsic value of creation and expression. This intellectual streak is part of what defines me, and it’s one of the main criteria that I seek in potential friends. As a teacher, it’s what I hope to nurture in my
Montessori middle school students. And it was absolutely necessary in my choice of a husband. I wanted a partner who would help me to give this gift to our future children—the gift of knowing the life of the mind. And I hope that someday, we can pass on to our grandchildren this love of knowledge—this “little jewel” that Grandpa has given to me.
