Beech Tree News Network

I always get a little melancholy around Father’s Day.  My father passed away 13 years ago on August 1st and although I have come to accept that fact, there are still days when I really need my dad.  My father never got to meet my children and I think that is what saddens me the most.  I know in my heart that my dad would have been the kind of grandfather I had growing up. 

I thought my Pappa (Pap-Paw) was the second greatest man that ever lived. I grew up in Rockfield and my grandparents lived in Richpond so needless to say, I got to see my grandparents at least 2-3 times a week.  My grandfather always smelled like wood shavings, Zest soap and Brut aftershave; to this day, I still love the smell of Brut.  My grandfather grew up during the depression so he did not like to waste anything, especially food.  He was a very good cook but I learned to ask what was in his creations because you never knew what you might be eating.
My Grandfather loved to share stories about his childhood.  My grandfather never talked “at” me but rather he talked “to” me.  One of my favorite stories was about my great-great grandfather.  Pappa would tell me that when his grandfather would walk over to their house, that when he would run out to meet him, his grandfather would wrap his arms around him and say, “Bless your little ol’ bones”.  I cannot recall a time when my grandfather did not hug me hello or hug me goodbye. 
My grandfather also never met a stranger.  He would talk to anyone, anywhere at anytime.  Ironically, two of my sons will talk to anyone, anywhere at anytime.  My father, who was a police officer, used to fuss at my grandfather (his father-in-law) for picking up hitch hikers every once in awhile.  My dad would tell my grandfather, “Pap!  Someone is going to knock you in the head one of these days and rob you.”  My grandfather would basically tell him, then so be it but he wasn’t going to quit helping people when they needed him.
I got a chance to go to New York City my freshman year at WKU.  The day I was supposed to leave, I was driving home from a recital.  I decided to take a short-cut that would take me past my grandparent’s neighborhood.  I hadn’t gotten the chance to tell my grandfather about my trip and because I was running late, I decided not to stop.  As I went past their turnoff, something inside of me said you must go back and see your grandfather.  He was so excited for me and when I confessed I was afraid that people would laugh at me because of the way I sounded, he put his arms around me, hugged me tight and said, “All you have to be is yourself and people can’t help but love you”.  I kissed him on his cheek, told him I loved him and left.  My grandfather, the man I thought had hung the moon and the stars, died two days later, the day before I was to go to New York City. 
I can only show pictures and tell stories to my children about the greatest men that ever lived, my father and my grandfather.  I learned a lot from both of them about being a parent and unconditional love and although I still have a lot to learn, I hope I have made them proud. 

- C. Denise Lambrianou is the Program Coordinator for Family Enrichment Center-Adoption Resource Program, which is funded in part by a grant from the Cabinet of Health and Family Services, Department of Protection and Permanency and Wendy’s of Bowling Green.  If you would like information about becoming a foster or adoptive family, please call (270) 781-6714 x 3 or (866) 842-9032 x 3.

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About Kwaisi:

This fun-loving teen is Kwaisi (born 4/99). He is energetic and curious, likeable and smart. He plays basketball and is a big Kentucky fan. Although he may be smiling on the outside, Kwaisi often worries what his future has in store. He really hopes that an adoptive parent will step forward for him! Kwaisi deserves a family that can help him learn that adults can be trusted. He also understands that he will need to earn an adoptive parent’s trust by demonstrating that he can make good decisions and have positive relationships. Kwaisi is making progress but he can be impulsive and doesn’t always think before he jumps into action. He does have good communication skills; therefore he is able to learn from his mistakes once he talks things over with an adult. Kwaisi needs a forever family to guide him in developing age-appropriate behaviors and proper social skills. He needs a family that will raise him up, build his confidence, and support him in going for dreams. Right now, Kwaisi is just a kid and he needs an experienced adoptive parent that can provide him with structure, routine, some redirection, and close supervision. Kwaisi is a good kid with many talents and gifts.