Grand People
My grandparents are all amazing people. From American war veterans to wonderful housewives, and so many other qualities beyond. They have learned a lot, and done a lot in their lives.
They are inspiring.
My Grandma Parkin helped to raise three children while having a husband who worked for the phone company and volunteered in the police force. In addition, I love seeing the history from this corner of the family, and I’ve even seen pictures of many ancestors including one of my great-great-great grandmother. It’s all well-cared for genealogy that has allowed me to meet so many family members over the years, even if its a bit confusing. It’e also allowed me to meet many of my extended family members on the Leverentz side (the maiden name from generations ago).
My Grandpa Parkin served in the Marines, served as a volunteer cop, and worked for the telephone company, among many other accomplishments. He built the house he and my Grandma raised their family in and continue to live in with my grandma. He also is continually fixing up his house and their cabin. What was interesting for me to learn a few years ago was that even though my Grandpa Parkin found Christianity on his own he not only raised a family of believers but also brought his own parents to faith in the Lord with the help of his siblings when they were younger. These two have raised a family of believers even though, it’s not what he came from.
At the church we go to, I’m continually proud to say that they’re my Grandparents. I so appreciate that we all share the same faith and have even been part of a service as a three-generation family unit (as my parents also attend the same church).
My Grandma Glader became a nurse and raised four children. She continues to stay active and inspires me to do the same. Also since my Grandpa Glader was paralyzed she has taken on the role of caregiver to a certain extent, this is so amazing and truly exhibits their love for each other. She has hosted so many family dinners, and entire weekends, and makes “Grandma and Grandpa Glader’s House” a wonderful place for all of us to visit each other and stay.
My Grandpa Glader, was also in the armed forces, in the army to be exact. He went to school and became a doctor of physical education, then became a professor at Bethel University (where I went to college). He has played tennis all his life and even coached me when I was little (with help from Grandma Glader). Despite being limited to a wheelchair in the past 10 years he still plays tennis, and other’s have made me more aware of how admirable it is; the wheelchair can hardly slow him down. He is also a published author, including a genealogy of his that of the family, this is cool to me because its helped me discover family and show me where I fit since I’m in it. What’s particularly humorous, as it is intriguing and amazing, is the number of people I meet who read my last name, and ask if I’m related to Gene Glader (my grandpa’s name) it shows his level of influence, especially since it’s always out of respect for him.
Together they even ran a resort, and two restaurants for nearly 25 years, that developed and has retained a stellar reputation in the community they still live in. This has shown me that if you are hard-working and honest there’s a good chance you’ll have something great to show for it. Even today I still talk to people about the resort and find out that it was hardly just me who had family memories there, staying in the cabin’s and at my Grandparents house on the property.
They have all encouraged me to learn more about my ancestry. Even though I’m a mix of nationalities between the four of them, I’ve found a lot of value in listening to family stories from them and trying to understand what their lives and their ancestor’s lives were like. Hopefully, I can pass on the same information someday.
All of my grandparents are inspirational people who have all had challenges in their lives. They’ve overcome adversity, and have always worked hard. They are examples of lives well lived to me, and I hope that I can live a God-fearing, respectable, hard-working life just like them.
