Letters From Listeners

My Grandparents are my true parents. When I was little I used to run away to my grandpas' houses.  When things get stressful, I still go to Grandpa's house (I only have one grandpa left). It amazes me that my mother came from him, she is the most selfish, money hungry person.  I also have a sperm donor as a father who left my brother and I for another woman and family.

My grandparents on both sides made the decision that they wouldn't speak ill of either parent. From my earliest days, I can remember tea parties with one grandma to digging in the dirt with spoons from the kitchen with the other; from working on cars with one grandpa to playing office with the other. They taught me about life. They always had time to chat. They made sure my grades were good, even going with me class because I thought literature was boring. The teacher wanted Grandpa to come back every day because all the students were on their best behavior.

I used to think my grandfathers were like mafia men.  They were/are quiet men never really having much to say, but when they did, you better listen.

They taught me what I could accomplish with hard work, dedication, and doing the right thing always, even when it was easier to look the other way. My grandfathers taught me what to expect when looking for a mate, how women are supposed to be treated, and to never settle for anything less than that.

Without my grandparents nudging, structure and love, who knows how I would turn out.

Juanita