Grandpa Hill's True Stories

Category: Faith & Family

Stories about relationship and religion

  • A Covid 19 Blessing, Grandpa Meets Melissal at the “Y”

    A Covid 19 Blessing, Grandpa Meets Melissal at the “Y”

    Grandpa Hill and Grandma Hill homeschooled their eight children from 1989 to 2016.   Grandpa had been disappointed, he had wished for a surge in homeschooling coming out of the whole Covid 19 scene.  It never seemed to have happened.  Then he met Melissa at the Y.  Her story motivated Grandpa Hill to check out the recent data on homeschooling.  He was pleasantly surprised.  If Grandpa meets Melissa again he will be giving her information about PHAA and a monthly square dance with homeschooling families.  Getting good and many connections was always helpful to Don and Mary for those 27 years of homeschooling and they want more homeschoolers to have similar connections to strengthen what they are doing in their families.

    • Produced: Grandpa Hill
    • Website, and Music: David Richman
    • Cover art: Amy Steele
  • Grandpa Left His Body – Faith & Family Story

    Grandpa Left His Body – Faith & Family Story

    Grandpa left his body in 2003. He was 46 years old living in Iselin PA.  While on the operating table sedated as a surgery was being performed, he got the privilege of watching the Doctor examine the tumor he had just removed.

    As Grandpa Hill tells this story to his grandchildren, they have just as much trouble trying to understand Grandpa’s story as Grandpa did 20 years ago when he first realized he had left his body.  Grandpa believes that this was a bit of first hand evidence that he is more than just his body and his brain. He always believed he had a soul but didn’t really know what it was. This out-of-body, experience was proof to him that he was more than flesh and bones.

    Please enjoy the story, think about it, and go about laughing and living your life.   Share this story and of course tell your own stories to your children, your grandchildren, and all children.   Shalom.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Grandchildren in the audience: Breandan

    Music: Michael Steele

    Art: Amy Steele

  • Two Women That Talked Too Much – Faith and Family Story

    Two Women That Talked Too Much – Faith and Family Story

    Grandpa Hill knows lots of people that just talk way too much!  Two special women to him really talk a lot. At one time, Don was quite sure they both talked too much.  Mary Lee, Don’s  wife, and his oldest daughter Patricia are the two ‘talkers’ that taught him a lesson and the value of sharing stories with and taking the time to get to know and share with people about yourself.   

    This story is about learning that lesson, learning to be patient and learning the importance of sharing your story as you get to know others, be friendly, and perhaps make a friend. 

    Just today when Mary Lee and I went for our daily walk, she met Tiffany in the park.  The two of them talked for about 30 minutes.  Her story was sad and she looked desperate.  Her tears seemed genuine.  Telling her story seemed to lift some of the burden she was bearing.  Mary Lee assured her of God’s Love for her and not to give up.  Please pray for Tiffany.  We will.

    Please, Think, Laugh, and Live and share Grandpa Hill’s True Stories!

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Grandchildren in the audience: Breandan

    Music: Michael Steele

    Art: Amy Steele

  • Love Hurts No. 3, Grandma Kicks Grandpa – Faith and Family Story

    Love Hurts No. 3, Grandma Kicks Grandpa – Faith and Family Story

    In January of 2015 on a cold morning in Iselin Pennsylvania Grandpa Hill (Don) decides to tease and surprise his wife Mary Lee.   After she gets startled and chilled she retaliates.   

    Don felt he deserved to receive the kick that Mary wanted to give him.  Presenting himself for the kick, he cautioned Mary that it would hurt her more than him.  This turns out was a major understatement.  Don got the kick of his life!  Mary got a lot of pain.  She had kicked a wrench in Don’s pocket! There was explaining, comforting, apologies, and forgiveness to be given and received. 

    Since the Kick-the-Wrench incident, Grandpa has been much more careful and kind in the teasing and startling of Grandma. No similar incidents have occurred since 2015, at least not any that Grandpa can remember.

    The grandchildren in the audience Joe, Catherine, and Lizzie and their parents briefly discuss the moral of the story. 

    Please share Grandpa Hill’s True Stories, widely.  I think they help us in the effort to Think about our situations,  act as we are able, then Laugh a lot, and Live life abundantly.  Grandpa Hill, of Grandpa Hill’s True Stories. Also check out the website where all the stories are there for your pleasure

    grandpahill-stories.org.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Grandchildren in the audience: Breandan

    Music: Michael Steele

    Art: Amy Steele

  • Grandpa Sees an Angel – Faith and Family Story

    Grandpa Sees an Angel – Faith and Family Story

    In 1988 Grandpa Hill (Don) and his family were at a parish mission in Burnsville Minnesota.  Just before the priest called on Don to come up front for a demonstration about faith and trust, an angel came and sat down next to Grandpa.

    Grandpa really doesn’t know what angels are.  He calls what he saw an angel because it seemed friendly, calm, and all energy.   Whatever it was that evening he first sensed it’s approach, saw it for a second or two and then responded to the priest.  As Don left the pew to ‘volunteer’ for the demonstration in front of what seemed like over a thousand people, the angel was gone!

    Don describes the faith moment, his demonstration of the concept of trust, and, how interesting it was for one time in his life to sense and see some sort of being that he truly thinks was an angel, sitting with him.  Either Don had the wildest imagination in the world, or he really saw something, or both!

    In any case, please know that Grandpa Hill’s Stories are True Stories, as true as he can remember them.  This encounter with this ‘angel’ truly happened to him.  It was definitely a faith moment, and, has always been an inspiration to him when he is being reluctant or hesitant to do what he really thinks God would like him to do.

    Please enjoy and please share this story and this podcast.  It really means a lot to Grandpa Hill to share and teach to entertain and to make it easier for others to think laugh and live regardless of the troubles of the day or times we live in. Use the stories to remember and share your own stories of when you grew up or you learned something true. What you do matters, it matters to the whole world.

    As of today April 21, 2023, Grandpa Hill’s True Stories have been listened to in 28 countries, 173 cities in 36 of the United States of America.  That’s way over 33,000 minutes helping you and your children to think, laugh, and live.  Listen, listen, listen. Share Share Share. Thank you!

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music: David Richman
    Art: Amy Steele
    Grandchildren in the audience: Annette, and Breandan.

  • How Grandpa and Grandma Met Each Other – Faith & Family Story

    How Grandpa and Grandma Met Each Other – Faith & Family Story

    On St. Patrick’s Day,  1975,  Mary Lee Mack met Donald Paul Hill in the library of the high school in Rochester Michigan.  That was the day that Don’s girl friend realized she was his girlfriend. 

    Don had been so anticipating having Mary as his girlfriend and so anxious about being rejected that he struggled to tell Mary of his intentions.  “Everything had to be just right,” was the excuse Don had for not asking Mary to go out with him on a date.  

    Listen and learn what $1 and a green carnation had to do with the start of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s togetherness, as they have learned to think, laugh a lot, and live life well. 

    Although this story is not how Don recommends that couples should start their relationships.  It  is, as best as Don can remember, the truth about how it all started 48 years ago on St. Patrick’s 1975. 

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music: David Richman
    Art: Amy Steele
    In the audience: Grandma Hill

  • Grandma’s First Couch – A slightly wiser story.

    Grandma’s First Couch – A slightly wiser story.

    It was the fall of 1985, Grandma and Grandpa Hill had just got a new house in Savage Minnesota.  There was an ongoing disagreement about money and furniture.  We both wanted living room furniture.  Mary Lee wanted to sit comfortably in the living room with friends and family.  Don wanted to sit comfortably but had no money to buy furniture.  Buying a couch at that time was out of the question.    Even so Mary Lee, went and got a couch and much more.

    Mervin and Janette, Mary Lee’s parents were generous and bought the furniture.    Mary Lee negotiated a low price.  Don’s happiness and gratitude, was hampered by his stubbornness and pride.  Don has recorded this episode as a memorial to the love and generosity shown by Mervin and Janette Mack.

    By the way, Mary Lee saved the day again!  She turned the furniture buy into a dent and scratch sale!  She still advises buyers to just ask for that lower price.  “Frequently you will get it”.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill
    Music: David Richman
    Art: Amy Steele
    Grandchildren in the audience: Annette, Breandan, Eoghan, and David.

  • Patricia Puts The Baby First! – Grandpa Hill’s True Stories

    Patricia Puts The Baby First! – Grandpa Hill’s True Stories

    Patricia, Grandpa and Grandma’s eldest child, listens with her seven children, and Grandma Hill (Mary Lee) as Grandpa Hill tells the heart tearing and heart warming story of when Patricia, was seriously ill in Children’s Hospital of Columbus Ohio.   Patricia was not responding well to her treatment and medications for asthma.  After a day of no progress she is finally able to communicate what’s wrong… It is a problem with her “room mate” – a little infant girl.

    The infant that Patricia was sharing her room with had a problem of no spinal cord and was constantly crying.  The baby’s illness wasn’t a problem for Patricia. The baby’s constant crying wasn’t a problem for her either.  The fact that nobody was caring for the baby was a huge problem.  As we, Don and Mary, came to realize the source of Patricia’s agony, we cared for the baby and tried our best to the extent we could to comfort her.  At her request, Patricia was doing without attention. Patricia needed us to care for the baby more than anything else we could do for her.

    Grandpa and Grandma realized just how special, caring, and loving Patricia was, to put the baby first, ahead of herself.  

    Gorf and Marshmallow are back to help the young listener understand how beautiful it is when someone who deserves so much attention is unselfish and puts the cares and needs of another person first!

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Gorf: Grandpa
    Marshmallow: David Richman
    Music: David Richman
    Art: Amy Steele
    Grandchildren in the audience: Sarah, David, Leah, Anna, Miriam, Raymond, and Naomi.

  • How To Buy a Car

    How To Buy a Car

    Grandma teaches Grandpa how to buy a car–how not to pay more than it is worth or than you can afford.  34 years after he learned his lesson Grandpa has bought over 20  cars. The family has nearly always has one dependable family car and a back up car. This has saved the family so much money.  No car payments ever!  Only once did he feel he should buy collision insurance coverage. 

    His two current cars cost $1,000 and about $4000 dollars when they were new to him. Never has he bought a brand new car.  Occasionally he has offered money on cars at used car dealerships.  Never have those offers been accepted he just can’t bring himself to pay more than what it is worth to him.  Grandpa is OK with that.  So is Grandma. 

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music and Art by David Richman

  • The Flood – Love Hurts #2

    The Flood – Love Hurts #2

    In the dark January night Don Mary Lee and Brian set out for the Indiana Library. It was a warm day in Pennsylvania in January in the early 1990’s.  The snow had been melting all day.  Flashflood warning were out.  There was water on Route 286.  Then the family car was floating and was in a flood. 

    Grandpa quickly made a plan to leave the car and when it came time for the family to escape the car he ended up hurting Mary Lee.  Grandpa dragged her over the console of the small Chevy station wagon.  The floating car sank, the flood was eliminated with a shovel and the evening came to a close.  Mary Lee’s arm was badly bruised and the car was totaled by the insurance company.

    Grandpa loved Grandma deeply and at the moment considered the dragging minor compared to losing Grandma in the flood.  Looking back, Grandpa knows he loved well.  Grandpa also knows he over-reacted.  A few more seconds of thinking could have avoided the haste of the “escape”.  A bit of caution and good judgement and he may have completely avoided being in the flood.

    Credits:

    Produced by David Richman,
    Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill

    Music & Art: David Richman