Dear LPG,

Did you know that today is National Grandparents day?  I have the feeling that most of those who should be reaping the benefits of such a celebration are most likely to read these pages, and have grandchildren that are much more likely to miss the point altogether.  

But when the word grandparent comes to mind I am more compelled to think of my own; the influence and memories that were left with me as a young boy.  One’s grandparents lived closer in those days and the children that we were, seemed to have so much more time to learn about what sort of people they really were.  The children of today have other demands on their time; computers and television take the place of a story, and all too many of the grandparents that I know live so far away from their grandchildren that telephone calls and video calls every now and then have to suffice.

The occupants of the chairs in question are those of my grandfathers.  We all have two and I was lucky enough to know both of mine.  There was more time to hear their stories and learn their pearls of wisdom.  I loved and treasured them for different reasons and my poem today celebrates their differences…

THE CHAIRS

They seem very old,

The nine summers young

Grandson thought,

Silently to himself.

Both had Their Chairs

Large, close to the window, well-nurtured.

They could see the road,

People, bicycles, cars.

One had a tickly moustache.

He took a cold bath daily.

He asked if I would like one.

I replied a very firm No.

One fell asleep after Sunday lunch.

The big family didn’t bother him.

My newly courted mother turned off

The radio awaking him to complain.

Time passes, seventy-one years.

Two grandads, still cherished.

Now my turn, in My Chair,

To wake when I decide.

 Foster Murphy

LPG has found a little information on the significance of the day…

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