Today is my Grandpa Foster's 95th birthday. I cannot imagine living 95 years, but I hope that I have inherited some of his genetics. :-) Here are some impressive things about my grandpa. He and my Grandma have been married for 70 years. Pretty impressive legacy of lasting marriage.
He worked as farmer a good portion of his life. I think a rite of passage for every Foster grandchild was getting to go on a tractor ride with Grandpa. Up until about a year or so ago, he was still driving. It might have been a good idea for him to stop before that, but still impressive that he was still driving in his 90's. :-)Well into his 80's he still worked the Farmer's Markets in Chicago selling produce from my uncle's apple orchard. This may not sound like a big deal, but it involved getting up at 2 AM, driving to Chicago, unloading a big truck, setting up displays and standing on the hard pavement doe about 7-8 hours in a variety of weather. Pretty hard work, especially for an 80 year old.
My sister and I went on countless trips with him and he taught us all about the (now defunct) license plate numbering system on Indiana license plates. I think we knew all the numbers for all the counties by the time we were 10 or 12 years old.I don't think I have ever seen him yell or get really angry.
He and my grandmother raised 8 biological children and 1 adopted child. They have 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild (I think I have those numbers right...but even if I am off a little it is still a lot of people!) :-) I consider myself extremely blessed to be among that number and I am very thankful that Anna has had a chance to meet and get to know him. Happy Birthday Grandpa!! Tomorrow we are celebrating his birthday complete with cake and visit from a State Senator (who is a former 4th Grade student of my Grandma's.) Since we are on the subject of birthdays, a shout out goes to my sister Mindy who celebrated a birthday on April 3rd!!April is also my birthday month. On Monday, April 18th I will turn 41 (so no worries...you still have time to shop for my present). :-) I have to admit that I have been struggling a little with 41...way more than 40. Not sure why, but I am trying to look at it from a positive perspective. After all, Jennifer Lopez is my age and was just name the "Most Beautiful Woman in the World" by People Magazine this week. While I am no J. LO, it does give me hope that 41 will be great and that 41 isn't as old as I once thought!!
Well, I guess that is all for now. Bring on the Birthday Celebrations!! :-)
I adore your grandparents. I love how he always had wild animals literally eating out of the palm of his hand. I have pictures of my daughter, Haley petting a wild skunk with him.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom & Aunt have gone with him to the Chicago mart, what an experience!
You are so lucky to have them, they are the sweetest!
I also adore your grandparents. Everything you write about your Granddad is sooo true. He is one of the nicest, gentlest, even tempered, hardest working men I have ever known.
ReplyDeleteI just love the picture you have posted of both your Grandparents. Please give him, and Mrs. Foster as well, a huge hug and kiss from one of "the Hendrix Girls".
I miss your Granddad's honey too. It was just the best. My Dad took me out to his place one time to see how the honey was made. Your Granddad was so wonderful in helping me understand how the honey was made and harvested. Gave me a new appreciation for those busy bees, that's for sure.
P.S. If it weren't for Mrs. Foster I might not have ever understood times tables. She worked with me all through 4th grade till I finally got it. Numbers and I didn't get along very well at the time, but she never gave up on me. LOL