Story Time: My Grandpa’s Habits

October is one of my favorite months, not just because my birthday happens to fall on the 21st. But it’s when the seasons starts to change and Halloween of course. But in recent years there has been an element of sadness that occurs. The 23rd of October happens to be my Father’s birthday and with his passing, it really hasn’t been the same. With our birthdays always a day apart we always picked the 22nd to have a big party. But now I have this mixed emotion of happiness and sadness of remember of once was. That is also why way I have haven’t been on here for a few days/week. Just needed some family time and some time to take my mind of this (didn’t work haha).

But that not way I wanted to share this “Story Time” with you. My Grandfather always had a habit or routine and did not deviate from these at all. The saying, “can’t teach an old dog new tricks” comes in to mind with him hahaha. I’ve learned so much from that man, I wouldn’t want to change him anyways. Between my Grandfather and my Father, I become a jack of all trades and for that I am grateful.

But there is one habit that my Grandfather always did and it drove my Grandmother NUTS! He would always have a kleenex on him. Always in his pocket, used or unused haha. Sadly my Father and myself picked up this habit as well HAHAHA and I now know why it drove my Grandma nuts. You forget about them and when you go to wash your cloths, they fall apart. Get into everything, specially once you get into the dryer.

At some point after my Grandfather’s passing in January 13, 2001. My Father and his sisters was going through his stuff, I was traveling from Oregon to Ventura, California to be with the family. But unknown to me, my Father found one the fabled snot rags in one of his vest pockets. Now you fast forward February 27, 2016, sadly this would be the day my Father would die. Once again I find myself traveling from Oregon to California to be with family and help with funeral. When it became time to go through my Father’s things… I have to stop right here and explain that my Father or I should say the Roberts family has a weird sense of humor or an idea of what is important to keep as to remember someone. My Father was the worst one out of all of use. That man never through anything away, specially when it came to family items. For that I am beyond grateful, because I’ve spent a number of year building the family history.

Okay back to the story! While I was going through my Father’s things, I came across an envelope with his writing on it.

If you can’t read it, it says,”My Dad’s last paper towel, he would always hang on to one of these things. I found this in his vest pocket. I can’t bring myself to put it in the trash… Sorry. -Woody”

My Father left me so many little note through out his stuff, explaining why he did things. Or what to do with them once he passed, or even how to take care of some items. Now you fast forward to now October 27, 2020 and I still have this envelope. It is now two decades old… I have this two decades old snot rag that I can’t throw away. Why? Because it reminds me of my Grandfather and my Father’s weird sense of what is important. So now I am making a shadow box with all the little things like this. I’m thinking about calling it The Weird Odysseys of the Roberts Family. HAHAHAHA good lord, TWO DECADES, count them! 20 years of holding a family heirloom of snot.. I bet this we a sick joke to see if I would keep it. That seems like something my Father would do.