Hello!
I am accused of being an old soul. You can call me that too, because I love the past and look forward to the future. My name is Andy Oldham. I am the grandfather of two boys, ages 16, 14 & 3. I also have two precious granddaughters ages 15 and 2. I don’t get to see them very often and so I am always looking for ways to engage them in conversation. Thank goodness for cell phones and the ability to text and call, and even send pictures to one another. Technology can be a blessing, after all.
When my Dad died, in 1995, I was re-acquainted at his funeral with many relatives whom I had not seen in many years. I will never forget one of my older cousins making this statement to my brothers, and me “You are now the older generation.”
I didn’t grasp the seriousness of her statement until about six years ago when I began to take a class in writing memoirs. The awakening began while looking at photographs and understanding that my parents and grandparents were no longer with us. All that remained were these photos and the attached memories. I then realized that I stood in their place for my children and future generations. As I grew to appreciate the legacy given me by the older generation, I began to accept responsibility to pass on not only family stories and my personal memoirs but this same mantle of faith in God. As some of the current generation has said, I am now a fossil. Ya know what? I’m proud to be one.
We are now the patriarchs of our families, and along with this God-given responsibility there arrives in crescendo the need for commitment not only to our children, but our grandchildren for the rest of our lives. We are not only to nurture, but to advise when asked, to teach godly precepts and share our lives with them when they are in our presence. We are to stand in the gap. God expects of us to take the same responsibility for our grandchildren as our children. Pray! Pray! Pray! As the patriarch we are to surround our entire family with prayers of Joy, Thankfulness, and of course a cover of protection against this world.
There is so much I have to share, that I cannot possibly tell it all at one time. I plan to share stories of the older generation before me, and stories of my own. I will share stories of my experience with my grandchildren and even some pictures from time to time.
I want to share memoirs, family stories, and thoughts with you. Hang in there and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Andy Oldham
Interesting blog Andy. Enjoyed my visit.
I could not post my comment on your blog 😦 as the comments box does not open.
Thank you! Glad to have you visit!
Me too Andy! Cheers 🙂
Andy I open with my thanks for your visiting and following my blog. It is an honor to serve you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
I too am a grandfather and live a distance from them. So, I am able to relate to you and your peril. I have to agree that modern technology, with all of it’s ill, is still a blessing to some.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
Thank you so much, and blessings to you as well.
I love how you find purpose to serve during this season of life! 😀 May the Lord bless you.
Thanks for your kind comment! Blessings to you!
Very nice thoughts Andy. Glad to have you back.
Thanks Alix!
hey! remember me?
Of course I do Amy! How are you?
im good. a lot is going on. how are you doing?
I’m doing goodly😃 are you ready for school to start?
I was a military brat. Since the Air Force kept assigning my father to Keesler AFB, I lived a good part of my childhood on the Gulf Coast. Still have fond memories.
I don’t know when I grasped the fact that as an elder I am supposed to have a positive effect upon those younger than myself. I don’t even know when I began to think of myself as an elder. Yet, without a doubt, what you have said on this page is true. It is what the Bible teaches.
Well said.
Thank you Tom! I guess I grasped I was an elder when my Mom died and an older cousin told that I was now the older generation in the family. Boy was that a profound thought. With that comes more responsibly for family than I previously thought. It’s amazing how we think when we retire we can relax. God didn’t plan it that way with family. Family is amazingly wonderful! Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment!
Hi Andy! I LOVE the idea behind your blog. I think the younger generation could learn a looooot from those before them.
I look forward to exploring your pages! ❤
Thank you Liz! I love your encouragement for everyone. It is much needed today. I look forward to following you as well. Blessings to you!
Thanks so much for following Oh, the Places We See. We, too, are grandparents charged with many of the same responsibilities that you mentioned in this post. It’s a weighty obligation but one we love! Thanks for traveling with us. Glad to have you aboard. http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
You’re welcome! We go to Baton Rouge, my hometown, and then to NOLA about once a year. I can’t wait to try the Napoleon House you described on your blog. Thanks!
Andy, I’ve never found a restaurant gumbo that I like any better than my mother’s or my own. But the one at Napoleon House was close. You may feel it’s inferior if you are a good cook. Hope not. Enjoy.
I love to cook for sure. But love to eat in NOLA. I’ve lived up north many years and don’t have a good recipe for gumbo or seafood étouffée. Have you ever shared your recipes on your blog? Would love to try them.
Andy, I use a quick roux method. It comes from a cookbook that shows how to microwave anything. A “real” cook would be appalled. But if you want the recipe, I’ll send it to you. Is there a better way to communicate with you than this?
I’d love the recipe. Please send to christiangrandfather@gmail.com. I sure appreciate it!
Hello Andy. Thank you for following my blog. Tell you what? The world needs the old generation more than anything in this world. Love you.
Love your brother!
Thank you.
Great post Andy and I am right there with you at 73 but I am loving it. :o)
Hi Andy, lovely to meet you here and I thank you for following me. Although I don’t have any grandchildren yet (my eldest daughter has just turned 18) I still feel the passing of the years. And that I’m heading into that older generation gap, especially since losing my mum earlier this year. I look forward to reading more fro you and getting to know you more. Warmest wishes from down under.
Hi Miriam! thanks for the comment. Yes, age sneaks up unexpectedly and before we know it it is upon us to be blessed with grandchildren. I am glad you enjoyed my blog and I hope you will continue to follow me. Blessings!
Thank you Andy.
Thanks for finding my blog, Andy. I am a free thinker who does not have a god. Best to not “follow” me.
We all have a God. Yours is free thinking. Blessings to you! I would still like to follow you dear friend.
Andy, it is good to know another grandparent in the WordPress Christian community, who shares the same legacy of the Father’s kingdom and passing it down to all His family through blogging. Thinking I had been put out to pasture, He has opened many doors in the last six years through this medium. I invite you to visit and walk with us in this year for contentment. We look forward to noting what you are living and leaving the next generation. 🙂 ~ Fran
Thank you Fran. It is a tremendous commitment. One I think sometimes is hard. But, I look to our Father for His guidance. I don’t get to retire from being a grandfather or sharing the Gospel. Blessing!
You’re so right that with our age, we have a deep responsibility to love, encourage and show our kids/grand-kids what a life of faith looks like. Love the idea of your blog… thanks.
Thanks so much Rhonda!
Oh Andy, this is a sweet focus for your blog! I really hear your caring and joyful loving for your family and for God. Sending blessings to you and to them, and to your blog too. 🙂
Thanks as well for following my blog, your presence is a gift,
Debbie
Blessings for a lovely weekend.
Thank you Debbie, for such a nice comment. I do love my family and the memories created over the years. I appreciate your blessings and I return them with a double portion. I loook forward to following your blog.
Enjoyed visiting your blog!
Thank you Shelia!
Thank you for stopping by Storyteller. — Ray
Hello Sir. 😊 I just want to drop by and say thank you for always liking my posts. For the past 2 years, there are only few moments where I had the chance to visit blogs because I am busy with my studies. But today, I wanted to visit your blog just to say thank you! I’m happy that your grandkids have the chance to know you more. My grandfathers in both sides of the family died when I was too young. I only have few memories with my dad’s father but I was close with my mom’s dad. and visiting your blog reminds me of them. Thank you, Sir. God bless you. I’m looking forward in visiting your blog more frequently. 😊
Thank you Kriz for such heartfelt comment. I enjoy blog and look forward to more. Thank you for starting my day with a smile. Many blessings!
Andy, I think I have found your Comment in my EMAIL.
Jen (Jennifer) Lewis
http://www.jenniferkaylewis.com
Archive Move Delete Spam More
[Jennifer Lewis] HOE DOWN ROAD
Shopping
Andy Oldham
To jenlewis0121@yahoo.com Today at 7:00 AM
Name: Andy Oldham
Comment: This is a wonderful story, a beautiful memory. I remember those days of building roads in the dirt, swapping (or wanting) the matchbox car my friends had as we built. I remember getting so dirty my Mom commented on shaking my pants outside before throwing them in the wash. You brought your memoir to life in this memory, Jen. I especially love the photo pic that said, “Here’s to the girls that grew up playing in the dirt. . .” Kids today will never experience playing in the dirt or, for some, even outside. It is amazing when you read someone else’s memory, how many are triggered of my own. I must go add them to my memory list now. Thanks for sharing this with me and contacting me. I look forward to many more of your memories.
Time: January 10, 2017 at 7:00 am
IP Address: 108.69.19.64
Contact Form URL: https://jenniferkaylewis.com/2017/01/08/hoe-down-road/
Sent by a verified WordPress.com user.
That’s strange, , lol. I wonder how that happened? Well at least you got it. I’m thankful for that. I appreciate you checking. I hope that doesn’t continue or I’ll just start emailing them to you, ha. Have a good day Jen.
Andy, we are so pleased that you found our site because now we can see the world through your eyes too. Your words above are pearls of wisdom.
Tom and Audrey and Emma too.
Thanks Tom, Audrey and Emma! I enjoyed your blog very much and look forward to following your journey. Thanks for sharing your lives here😃
Thank you for your encouraging words. More post are about to come out.
I’ll be looking for them😃
Your story has struck an emotional chord: I lost my father less than a year ago, and just recently someone remarked that I was now the oldest. It’s a heavy and bitter responsibility, but you are right – prayer is the only thing that helps!
So sorry to hear of your loss. It is hard to lose the patriarch isn’t it? Now that we are the oldest of our family we are the lamp post for our families in guiding them toward Christ. It is an awesome responsibility, one we cannot take lightly. I thank your for your heart and in sharing with me. Blessings!
Thank you for understanding. Many blessings to you and yours!
Your blog is wonderful. Thanks for following mine.
Thanks so much! 😀
Andy, I hope all is well with you. A commenter on my blog is trying to make contact with you about that New Orleans plantation that I visited. Can you email me at luanne.castle[at]gmail[dot]com?
Sure. 😃
It will be this afternoon tho before I get the chance. Easter is very busy day!
I did send you an email 😃 Happy Easter 🐣
Wonderful!
Thanks
You’re welcome!
Andy,
It was great to receive your like on my blog.
I hope you are doing well. I have commented to my husband on a few occasions, that I wondered how you were doing.
Blessings~
Thanks Robbye! Such a nice comment! I had to take a break for awhile as I found myself needing more time with my God and my family. I hope to write again soon. Many blessings to you and hubby.
You are so welcome, Andy. I can understand needing a break. I pray you are able to be well rested soon, and have enjoyed the time during your break.
Blessings to you and yours, too~
Thank you Robbye! Blessings!
“All that remained were these photos and the attached memories” … such a poignant statement, which is why we must write down those memories for future generations, so they know who they are and where they came from.
You have a lovely website, Andy. Thank you so much for dropping by mine also. ~ Joanne.