Passing it on

I am so thankful for the great grandkids. All of them are a blessing and I can't imagine going through the holidays without them. Every time we do a prayer or toast, I want to thank God for the new families. It is exciting to see. Losing Dad was damn hard, when the young kids are in the house....it just feels different. They make you forget your worries. I personally believe that it was God's timing to have these new lives at this time. (I love the song "Somebody is praying me through" by Alan Ashbury).
This is leading me to talk about those that were good role models to me growing up. Are we passing these great principals on to the younger generation? It is important to me that their lessons are passed on and they live through us.
Granddad and Grandma will always be at the top of the list. When I think about the principals that defined Granddad I would list honesty as one of the top ones. He treated everyone with respect (4 years old or long haired farm help). He loved people. Fairness was important. He always treated Grandma with love and respect. All of his kids learned these same principals. When you were with Granddad and Grandma, you were treated as an adult. You were never treated as just a kid although you always were expected to treat them with respect. Granddad and Grandma didn't have to scold or discipline. You did not want to ever disappoint them.
All of the Hines' developed these same qualities. They invested themselves in to their kids and in to their grandkids. Important: they had a way of treating a child as important but the parent or grandparent were always head of the household. The kid was never more important than the parent. In my first marriage, the kids were more important to me than my wife. A sound marriage is the most important thing you can do for your kids.
I know that Cindy, Jodene and Ann can all list other characteristics of Granddad and Grandma that stick out in their mind. In fact, while we were four kids, each of us had a very personal relationship with both of them. Wes and Joann were also very strong influences in my life. I was always excited to see Joann. Wes and I had a very close relationship and I have a lot of respect for him. There is no doubt that Joann and Wes loved us. Granddad and Grandma passed their qualities on to their kids. How rewarding is it to know that the principals that you stand for were successfully passed on to your kids and grandkids?
Have you thought about what principals define you as a role model for your kids or grandkids? I am so blessed that I have had Grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts and uncles, friends, pastors, coaches, etc that I respected and love and were positive influences. It isn't enough to love and give our kids things. They need to know that there are some principals that define me that I will never compromise. Granddad didn't have to blog his principals but I may have to. Granddad would never short change someone. Dad wouldn't fire Denny even if it cost him a job. Grandma hated anything dirty or inappropriate.
Believe me, this is not a judgement of parents and grandparents in the family. This blog is about relationships and I want to remember those relationships that were big to me. I believe that the standard has been set high.
When I think about Dad, Grandma and Granddad, I want what meant so much to them to live on. This is what defined them. I want it to define all of us. Your principals may not be the same ones that defined others before you, but I do think that you need to know yours.
I love the fact that Blake has decided to go and try different things and live in a new area of the country. I hate the distance but love that experience he is gaining. His eyes have been opened to new environmental concerns. He is more sensitive to political issues that never made my radar as very important issues. I think that is good. I am confident that he knows what defines him as a person.