I spent Labor Day with my 92 year old, adopted grandfather George. I was introduced to George several years ago while attending Biola. He caught wind that my friend and I needed a place to stay during the simmer, and offered the 2 extra rooms in his home. We moved in with he and his dogs to Uptown Whittier; and ended up staying a couple years.
He now lives in a nursing home because he is no longer able to take care of himself. Its truly paradigm shifting to see a man who was a teacher, mechanic, musician, solder, and world-traveler; no longer capable of independence. To this day he plays the grand piano for several hours to be a blessing to the other residence where he lives. In spite of his humiliating circumstances he continues to be graceful and winsome. Visiting him became a daunting reminder that we both enter and exit this world in the complete care of others. I only hope that somewhere between my in trance and exit that I can for a moment be as graceful and optimistic as George.
