The Native Iowan

Saturday, July 1, 2023, 9am. It’s quite chilly here. overcast. The valley is quiet this morning. Not a lot of bird life making a noisy nuisance. The dogs are quiet, hunkered down in their thick beds of straw.

Have been discussing life, aging, family and more with an old buddy. We’ve known each other for many decades. Disagree on most everything in life except their fact that the world is upside down and families are the foundation of all and everything.

I fear a liberalistic no-family-required attitude is flooding our society. I have watched for years as the traditional family structure has been weakened, deconstructed, removed from what is “the norm”. As the world gets faster and families spread out we are less and less “in touch” with our families.

I very much disagree with the modern conveniences of life that lead to murder… Old folks all alone and unwanted so we promote euthanasia. Young folks have an unwanted pregnancy so we promote abortion.

I have stated before that it is not the thumb that made mankind dominant. Not his “almost as large as a dolphin’s” brain. Nope, not his memory or his tool making ability or his smarts when it comes to warfare.

Mankind is dominant simple because of grandparents. Tribal elders. The Family. Aunties and Uncles and cousins and brothers and sisters that care for the infants as the “in their prime” parents go about feeding, housing, protecting the tribe at large.

So, in the Valley of Green, on a chilly, calm, dull morning; I, the law-giver of The Valley; declare July Tribal Elder Awareness Month.

I can still think back over eons and decades and smell the fresh bread on my Grandmother’s hand as she caresses my face.

I can hear my Mother’s voice bellowing up the stairs yelling at us to get ready for school.

I can feel the sting of my Father’s belt across my backside after being caught, again, in a major transgression of life rules.

I grew up in a multigenerational household. My Parents were stressed and their time and patience was forever stretched, their touch was often very heavy. My Grandmother had less energy to expend, her touch was much gentler.

Some of us never knew all of our grandparents. The ones I grew under loom large in my upbringing.

I have made a distinct point to be involved with my many grandchildren. There are a few I have never met, considering time and distances, and there are a few I have pretty much raised. I am currently discussing with my son about him sending his family over here for education. Another son lives near us with his young family.

Old age would be pretty sad without family, grandkids…. and dawgs.

Here is a picture of 8yr old Gigi being a cool bad-assed biker…

GrandParents Rulz