A WONDERFUL GRANDPA

a tribute to my father in law, much loved and sorely missed, russell coulter

A WONDERFUL GRANDPA

as luck would have it
since not all grandfathers
are of the warm and caring nature
we have been blessed
with a fine funny and unique old man
a gift from the universe unmatched and welcome...

an old metal “junky”
with a constant companion dog
he never threw anything away
( example # 1...150 dead hot water heaters as a forest on his high plains desert ranch)
if and odd out of circulation nut or bolt was needed
he always had it somewhere at hand
while our generation seems ruled by “duck” tape fixing and repair
grandpa russ fixed it
and held it together for us all
with bailing wire and bubble gum
always driving a beat up old pickup that
seemed to breakdown on every run
but he could always patch it together and get us home safe
he passed just a year before one son
as if to say
don’t worry kids
i’ll guide the way...

we see him reflected in the universe’s eyes
sitting in his bailing wire bubble gum truck
with duchess and fang,
listening to hank williams and jimmy rodgers
and reciting robert service with the elegance of a circus clown pro
oh lord, we miss him so...

Author's Note

this wonderful man considered me to be the best thing that ever happened to his son..i was so very blessed to have known him...

Reviews

[JayceeC]

It sounds like you had a great relationship with him. Not all open their hearts so readily, when you have one that welcomes you with open arms you appreciate it and it's nice to have them for a while.to teach your children those things that grandpas do.

[jeannemarie coulter]

thank you so much...the pic is russ with his first 5 grandchildren...my daughter was his 6th and was not born yet...

[JayceeC]

You can tell he loves children, and they love him. This is a beautiful picture. Hope you have some of them together also, but it's a miracle that all of them stayed still long enough to get the shot.

[Perkele.7885]

It is what is earthy and real that endears; not what can be bought just to shut you up
it is what is shared from the wise to eager ears; not what can be given to make you leave you alone

[jeannemarie coulter]

he gave so much in wisdom and laughter, but mostly he gave love and that is the best gift of all...

[Indra Neil]

this is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute!

[jeannemarie coulter]

thank you for reading my words

[Indra Neil]

u r welcome! :)

[wordman]

a beautiful tribute to a fine man,and he is helping gabriel mend a gate

[jeannemarie coulter]

with baling wire and bubblegum...my husband is helping with "duck" tape...and everyone is laughing

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the memory. I had a good grandfather. Taught me how to drive a car and helped raised me. I try to follow his example. We are lucky when blessed by people who loved and protected us. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry dear friend.
Coyote

[....................]

and in all that fixing and keeping together the things that helped to make life a little easier, i suspect he also did so much more for those around him... the last stanza really says it all ... a fine tribute, jeannemarie...

[Jane Taylor Hardy]

A heartfelt tribute to a wonderful man! I wrote a song called "Grandma's House" because my visits to my grandmother's home are deeply ingrained as highlights in my life.....I believe that grandparents touch our lives so very deeply....I LOVED the line "with bailing wire and bubble gum!" Beautiful poetry!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a beautiful tribute and i could see that forest of old water heaters, and see you on the side of the road sitting in the pickup as he tinkered beneath the hood.