Living for others gives our lives purpose


Many may not realize the true nature and purpose of La Grimm Ranchero.

Truthfully, there has been a purposefully devised attempt employed to divert any serious inquiries. For the last seven years, we’ve stayed obvious, yet presented an unobvious distraction through attempted humor.  This has been purposeful.

A few have had access to the deeper workings within our combined purpose. It is this nature and purpose that have made our home not about us, but about others. This has created a uniqueness to those who’ve become entwined by friendship with us. These individuals have touched our hearts, and our hearts are theirs. We have embraced this with true joy and an indescribable sense of “beyond us.”

You see, we’ve been adopted by a few. To them we are considered “local” grandparents, spiritual encouragers, someone young parents have brought into at least a few of their joys and struggles.

Maybe it is because we are still younger at heart that some have found us.  Maybe we’ve found a fountain of youth by being of service to others. We actually believe it is all God, like “divine logistics.”

At my 70th birthday, children helped me open my gifts and read out loud cards written in cursive. The missus and I have gatherings where children had their first watermelon-spitting contest, learned to perfect a true cannonball plunge into the pool, all while our home has echoed with children’s laughter. Our freezer holds a treasure trove of frozen popsicles waiting to be taken.

One family with foster children told us that a toddler prayed for us saying, “Please bless Grandpa and Grandma.” God knows how this fuels our hearts for the next “mission.”

As I type this, I am in Phoenix, awaiting a flight to California to see my two daughters and their families. I blame my three children for having raised this dad into being this grandfather. Five of eight grandchildren are waiting for me there. Their ages, which range from 9 to 24, tell me that time is not waiting.

The next two Friday nights, I will sit in football stands, as the only granddaughter is one of the cheerleaders. During this time I expect to play Uno with my 9-year-old grandson, who I hope will tell me one of his imaginary character stories. My 17-year-old grandson will eat like there is always room for more, as I buy him his favorite foods. My 21-year-old grandson will tell me about his work with reptiles and his studies of African wolves. My 24-year-old grandson will tell me about his work in the film industry.

By the time you read this, I will have returned from this mission. The missus and I are already looking forward to getting with our local “grandchildren” because, well, honestly, it’s what we have chosen for our home — La Grimm Ranchero — to be. Living for others, what a unique idea!

What are you doing with your remaining years?

   Warning: These musings may be serious or may be humorous. Enjoy! H.R. Grimm is a self-described lovable, prone to blunt, witty, tending toward sarcastic, saved-by-grace, constantly thinking storyteller. Grimm, a military veteran, and his wife now call La Vernia home. Email reader@lavernianews.com.