By Terasa Swope-Peterson, CSW
Remembering my Grandpa, George Meadows
This picture hangs in my kitchen. My Grandpa, George Meadows, would be 122 years old next may. He passed away in May, 1996 at 94 years old.
As long as I can remember he worked hard, didn’t believe in credit and paid with cash. He cut firewood and had impressive piles on his lower lot. He lived in a one room shack until he married my Grandma, then he added on a kitchen and a bathroom for her.
He had the most amazing garden I ever saw in Ely. I was one of the only children allowed in his garden, many fond memories, and I still absolutely love gardening.
I remember he was in bed before the sun in the summer and up and working before the sun also, winter didn’t change much, early to bed, early to rise..he’d say. He ate milk and bread for supper, dinner was around lunchtime.
He’d read whenever he wasn’t working. I remember sitting on his lap as he’d read to me when I was little. He always told me no matter what I did to go to school, get all the education I could. He was made to quit school in the 6th grade when his dad died so he could go to work and provide for his mom and sisters. He was the only boy, and it was his job.
I imagine if the world today had more of this kind of mad we’d be in alright shape. I’m so grateful for his influence in my life, for all he taught me and inspired me to become.
I often ponder the way he lived, when a contract between men was a handshake, and reflect on the way things are handled now. It saddens me to see the loss of great integrity and character that was there in most of the paths you crossed, and I for one carry those lessons with me today and try my best to make sure Grandpa would be proud.
Outstanding ! It was also the way I was raised.
As I remember George he was a good man of few words. He only said the words he wanted to in the way he wanted to say it. He was truly a man of the greatest generation.