Page 31 - Oasis in the Sky

Father Figures

The most influential person in my life was my grandfather, Russell Henness.
He was not my grandfather by blood, but more by common law adoption. There
were never any papers signed, but from the age of two on, he was my grand-
father. I never questioned how I could have three grandfathers, and once I was
old enough to think it through, it did not matter that he was not my biological
grandfather, I loved him just the same.
His house was just above ours in the canyon, and it was on his ranch that
we lived and at his house that I spent much of my time. Both my parents worked,
so it was grandpa who watched my younger brother and me after school. It was
grandpa who cooked dinner for us (and taught me how to cook in the process).
It was grandpa who was there when I needed him.
He is gone now, but he is not forgotten. He lives on in my heart, and I am
grateful that he was such a fundamental part of my life.
And I am glad to report that I now have a better relationship with my father
than I did as a kid and a young adult. Time has mellowed him, and I have learned
how to forgive.

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Oasis in the Sky
Oasis in the Sky