your turn: an interview with my grandpa

Just like John Mellencamp, “I was born in a small town.” Okay, fine, not that small. But small-ish. Anyway, I lived my whole childhood in the same town, and was fortunate enough to be close–literally and relationship-y–to both sets of my grandparents. They were all incredible; Grandpa Jack is the last guy at the party and I love him dearly.

Today’s “Your Turn” is an interview with Grandpa Jack:

Hi Grandpa. Thanks for doing this. So first off, an easy one: what year were you born?

1919

Author’s note: that’s the year the toaster was invented.

I’m okay at writing, bad at math: how old does that make you?

92

Impressive. So, Grandpa, what are you good at? What do you like to do?

I’m good at things that require me to use my hands. My career was dentistry. Now I like to do stained glass.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently (you don’t have to say mine)?

Merle’s Door by Ted Kerasote

What are some of the books you liked to read as a child?

Western books

I borrowed my Grandpa’s baby book: some of his favorite books are listed as Raggedy Andy, Uncle Wiggily’s books and Billy Whiskers. But apparently most of all, as a kid he loved the funny papers (that love carried into adulthood).

What do you remember about me as a little girl?

I remember you on your first birthday…how you handled your cake. I remember your Dorothy Hamil haircut: you could shake your head and every hair fell into place.

If you had to describe in one word how you felt while reading my book, FORGOTTEN, what would it be?

PROUD … that I have a granddaughter who can write a book that all ages, young and old, can enjoy reading.

My book is about memory so people like to ask me about things I remember. You’ve lived a long life: what are some of the most vivid memories you have?

I was six years old when I got my first horse. The name of the horse was Chief but I could only say “cheese” because I had lost my two front teeth and was unable to pronounce certain words. We had two iron poles my dad had buried in the ground with a cross bar to make a swing. If no one was around to help me mount my horse, I could position him next to the pole, climb the pole and get on.

Um, wow. That’s pretty amazing. Anything else?

We moved during the spring semester of my sophomore year in high school. I wasn’t happy about it at first and wished to be back in my old town, however, I got better acquainted during my junior year and got involved in sports, band (where I learned to play the trumpet and read music), rifle team, some acting and of course, girls and parties.

I like how you threw in “girls and parties” at the end there.

Of course.

Thanks, Grandpa!