I Heard it Through the GrapeVine

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5 (KJV)

Yesterday, I spent the day visiting with my father at the nursing home.  He's ninety-four years old and doing amazingly well for his age, despite having recently fallen at home.  He talked almost nonstop during the entire visit.  He spoke about significant events in his life, growing up as one of eight children of Italian immigrant parents, enduring much hardship and many struggles during the Great Depression of the thirties followed by World War II in the forties.  He mentioned how his family would gather together each Sunday, under a grapevine that his mother had planted, to eat spaghetti and meatballs.  He talked about how everything that his mother had ever planted flourished.  Recollecting how they would be playing outside in the street, as it was getting dark, and the policeman would come by on his evening rounds telling them to go home just as his mother was calling each one of them, by name, to come inside.  How he had worked for the same company for over forty years, never missing a day.  He went on about how he had served in the Marine Corps as a radio operator on reconnaissance flights during the war, logging well over one-thousand hours in the air.  He flew on some of the largest planes that were tasked with recovering dead and wounded American soldiers during the Islands Campaign of the Pacific Theater.  Some of the bodies had been brutally mutilated by the Japanese.

He spoke about his faith and the importance of God and family.  It was clear that these things were the cornerstones of his life.  He said that he wanted to go home and was, "Thinking about retiring."    Retiring, to the house surrounded by hedges that he dug up and transplanted himself from the land of a man who had offered them to him as a gift when he bought it.  I just sat and listened while I held his hand, hugging and kissing him.  I couldn't stop hugging and kissing him.  He's a good man.  You made it Dad.  God bless you.  One day we'll be together on the other side.  You'll show me that grapevine.  We'll sit and talk under its shade, protection and love.  We'll reach up and pick some grapes.  I'll cook the spaghetti and you'll make the meatballs and tomato sauce.  Your mother, father, seven siblings and all of their offspring will be there.  We'll all be there, together.  There will be generations. So many in fact, that the grapevine will go on forever and ever for eternity ...

Author's Note

"We are older by faith than by experience." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

OH MY GOSH! This is the BEST thing you’ve written that I’ve read so far! The way you organized this message is amazing, first sharing the father’s thoughts, then the son’s – presumably yours, becuz the passion & sincerity is so strong & palpable, this has to be a first person share. Hearing what old people think of, to share, is an interesting tale in itself, & you’ve made it into a sparkling memorial to your dad. The thing that really touches me is the way you describe hugging & kissing . . . many times writers forget to show the physical aspects of a message with strong emotional details. They get too inside their own heads, so forget to show what’s going on physically too. Your ability to do this really adds a ton of warmth to your scene. I love this. I can’t believe how many meaningful details you packed into this very short piece. The grapevine is such a classic central image for your tapestry (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

thank you sincerely Margie, really. a very emotional visit for me indeed. thank you for your open, receptive heart and eye for detail. your thoughts are felt and very much appreciated dear friend! (((HUGS))) ... :)

[Lyn Anderson]

What a beautiful story. Told so lovingly and simply, it is a truly lovely piece. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I think, however, you may have been a victim of auto-correct, which loves to put an apostrophe in its even when it is possessive (under its shade)
A really great story.

[Pete]

thank you for the kind thoughts lynn. your edit has been corrected ... :)

[Lyn Anderson]

No problem. It was a delight to read

[emmajoy]

Pete, your words are utterly beautiful. How i'd love to meet your dad, have him - via a sweet miracle - meet mine. Then - we'd all learn how real Men use and sustain Life and all its meanings. Would say more, can't right now.

[Pete]

life is so precious. a reminder of what is truly important. thank you ever so much, em, for your lovely thoughts ... :)

[emmajoy]

Thoughts are as precious as memories, Pete. Blessings for your weekend.

[Onlyme]

The bonds between loved ones. Mature and grow wiser with age. And shared via the ages via father and sons.

[Pete]

the things that are truly important. thank you Dee ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

This is such a warm and loving write about your Dad and his values and the way he has lived his life, Pete. Strong family, working hard, service to his country. No wonder you are so proud of him. I also come from a close knit family, there is nothing like it. I count my blessings.I love the photographs you have posted as well. Thank you for sharing your Dad's story. The reader is able to understand perfectly the great love you have for him.


Chris

[Pete]

thanks Chris. glad you come from a close knit family and can relate. he's a good man. he certainly values different things that today's world ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I grew up in a family like this - connected, close and loving. How wonderful for you that he is still with you! You exude such emotion here, Pete...one simply falls in love with your Dad, and your every word. You took my breath away with this one - and broke my heart a little, as well!

[Pete]

how great a blessing that you grew up in a family such as this. thank you for sharing your kind thoughts. you are really very much appreciated Kelly ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

...as you are to me as well, Pete!

[andrew mitchell]

Phew! Great write Pete just glad it wasn’t about the apple tree! Seriously such good family values back then and the importance of families sadly lacking today.

[Pete]

thanks andrew (chuckling about the apple tree). seems like life was better when things were simpler. we're chasing after the wrong things. he's a great guy. if i'm half the man he is, i'll be doing ok i think. seriously, thank you very much andrew ... :)

[andrew mitchell]

94 and doing ok,what a blessing to live an innings like that!

[Pete]

yeah, talk about extra innings, huh? we even talked about the Boston Red Sox (he still watches them on television). truly amazing. i had brought a bag of Doritos chips with me and was giving some to him as we talked and he ate them all. we should all be so blessed. thanks andrew! ... :)