Original oil painting of: Grandfather’s wife
Readers: I found this edition of Grandfather Says in my inbox earlier this year. Dave sent it to me on Christmas Day 2023 – which is probably why I overlooked it, as I’m usually away from my emails during the Christmas holidays. Anyway, I thought it would be appropriate to show it today, Christmas Day 2025. It’s been an honor to share Dave’s writing over the years here. Rest in peace, Dave. – Len
Grandfather is now 92 years old and spends most of his time in a wheelchair. Here he is with “newest” (chuckle) wife, Tatjana:
He is increasingly surprised that his view on life is becoming more mature.
When he started writing ‘Grandfather Says’ he had no idea that it would become important to him as a way to preserve a record for future generations of his family.
But it is, so he now prints out a hard copy and puts it in a ‘fireproof’ box for posterity.
An example of the impulse: He wishes he could read his paternal grandfather’s diary about his daily life as a gold prospector in the Klondike, but it has been lost.
My late wife Elaine’s diary will also be preserved; an abridged version of it, “The Chronicles of Elaine,” now appears here on Len’s blog, and will also be preserved.
A word to the wise: create a record like that of and for your family. There will be posterity who will.
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About the Author: RD Blakeslee is a non-agenarian in West Virginia who has built his wealth by investing only in what he can enjoy at the time of purchase and throughout his life, as opposed to papers in a drawer like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here.
Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee family
#Grandfather #lost #entry