Grandpa’s Tales I

I have only realized, very recently, that it is a privilege to be a grandfather. A grandfather should rank high up in familial and social circles, but how many of us actually take the time to be with the ones we love, or, at least, we are supposed to love. The world today seems to be caught up in the moment, in the fleeting present, because an opportunity may be lost if we procrastinate. However, this argument works both ways: the “papa” may not be of much use in the everyday life of a teenager, but in the formative years he, and “nana”, could, if circumstances permitted, bring into a child’s life, wonder, and excitement, and awe, along with respect, understanding and a knowledge that most things are inter-connected.

Where do I begin? I am not going to explain the word “grandfather” because I am assuming that is common knowledge. But I have used words like “familial” and “social” and “love” that may need some clarification. Each of these words have been written about voluminously, separately and in association with each other, so what I have to say may seem superfluous, even uncalled-for. I am going to stand my ground and tell you, dear Reader, that every grandpa has a tale or two, or even a zillion—who knows?

I’ll restrict myself to one subject—FAMILY—this time, from which the word “familial” is derived.

So, what is family? If you accept the Biblical account of creation, then the only family that Adam had, was God. God then fashioned woman, from out of Adam’s flesh, named her Eve, and consecrated their union in the bond of marriage. Adam had 3 sons, Cain, Abel and Seth, but Seth was born after Cain had murdered Abel. It is assumed that Adam and Eve had many more children, for he had Seth when he was 130 years old and lived another 800 years after that. So, the first “nuclear family” comprised Adam, his wife Eve, and their 3 sons. The injunction to go out and multiply was left to Adam, to Cain and to Seth, but Cain’s progeny was completely obliterated in the Flood that occurred in the time of Noah, leaving Seth as the patriarch of all mankind thereafter.

I have managed to come back to the subject I started with—family. I am happy to think of the entire human race as being part of one big family, but I’m not sure how many takers there will be for this idea. As you have seen, there was trouble in the first human family itself, leading to murder. The peoples of the world have gone their separate ways, and traditions, practices and beliefs have helped distance one man from his neighbour. The system has become so horrific that the whole world now seems to be on the brink of nuclear devastation, for the familial ties of love, understanding, brotherhood, peace and goodwill have been dispensed with, lock, stock, and barrel.

I said earlier that Adam’s was the first “nuclear” family. Now that the atom has been split, we, their inheritors, are paying for their doggedness regarding good and evil. What a fall! Then I fell, and you fell, and everyone fell, and all of us together are still reaping the consequences. As the dramatist of old cried out: “Ah, my Christ”.

Believe me, I do not blame old Father Adam for what is now called the “original sin”. Who am I to cast the first stone, anyway? Indeed, I have the greatest respect for the first man, for when he chose his woman, Eve, over everything that the Garden of Eden had to offer, I have to cry out loud, at the top of my voice: “That was a MAN”.

Love, indeed, conquered all. Rose gardens come with the thorns, as we all know.