Grandparents: Purpose

Grandparents, the last line of defense. When we adopted the grandkids they were 7, 3, and 1. That was five years ago. Two boys and a girl. Add to the household an 18 year old daughter, plus an 80 year old great-grandmother. I had heard of it, but up until five years ago, I personally never witnessed four generations from one family living in the same dwelling. (By the way, that's Bob's Bear over there to the left.)

Introducing: Jim, Fran, Kate, Bub, Bob, Sis, Marilyn, E.T. the turtle, Smokie,The Phat Man, Bear, and Tim & Tam (the two-headed turtle.)

This is to those among us raising their adopted grandkids and caring, in-house, for an elderly relative. Add a teenager into the mix and you get the equivalent of hitting the lottery, in reverse.This tale begins on March 9, 2009. In reality, it begins long before that day. Read on, as two grandparents (Jim & Fran) attempt to referee an assortment of generational gaps. Add the four children, all under the age of 18, and a woman pushing 80, and what do you get? We haven't a clue... because the jury is still out (Non-fictional "characters" depicted.)

Jim is the father of three, grandfather of three, married to Fran for 35 years, and is on the edge of scarfing up discounts at local restaurants, ie: he's as near to 60 years of age as one can get without actually being 60. Three children (two deceased) and adoptive father of three grandkids, ages 6, 8, and 12. Plus, along with Fran, in-house caretakers of his 80 year old mother. Four generations packed into the Lord house. 

Jim is now 60, and Bub is now 12. Sis will turn 6 on Feb. 20.

COMING SOON: "FINDING MY WAY BACK HOME," the new

novel by J.I.M. Lord.

Also coming soon: GRANDPARENTS (#2) "It Don't Come Easy."

And in March: "SOMEBODY IS CALLING MY NAME", yet another

one from Jim "Ruff" Lord.