In 1974 Grandpa Hill, Don Hill, was clearing stump logs around Karl Greimel’s Estate. He was 16 years old and the blade on Mr. Greimel’s saw was 16 inches long. When the blade entered his leg he knew he was in trouble. As he drove himself to the hospital his left leg was warm and wet as his boot filled with blood.
(more…)Tag: family stories
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Don and Mary Decide to Homeschool – Faith and Family Story
In 1989 Grandpa (Don) and Grandma (Mary) lived in Savage Minnesota with their four children. Three of them attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Don while teaching catechism is informed by his student, Sarah, that things have changed since he was a boy in catechism. Her claim was that today’s children need to decide for themselves what is right and wrong for them.
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A Superior Minnesota Vacation
This episode of Grandpa Hill’s True Stories took place in May of 1989 along the Western shore of Lake Superior. Grandma and Grandpa (Mary and Don) take their four children on a long Memorial Day camping vacation. The story is of five precious memories that make up the five chapters: Mittens in May; Short Sheets at Gooseberry Falls; Cascade River Trout; Bears Bears, Bears; and Grandma and the Ostrich.
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A Boy and His Dog Jack – Children’s Story
Andrew really wanted to be in 4H and show a dog. Rebecca his sister had a dog, and, she was in the show. He had two huge obstacles to overcome. First he was too young to enter the show at the Indiana County Fair. Second he did not have a dog!
Determined, he got the best dog he could get from his sister Amy. His name was Jack, the last of the Jack’s. Andrew’s persistence, was endearing. He won over a lot of the 4H leaders and organizers.
In a class of his own, Andrew and his dog Jack, were registered, and, entered the show. They won blue ribbons!
For Andrew’s Dad, Rebecca, and Andrew it was one of the best days at the Indiana County Fair that ever was.
Credits:
Produced by David Richman,
Executively Produced by Grandpa HillGrandchildren in the audience: Breandan
Music: Michael Steele
Art: Amy Steele
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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 HillGrandchildren in the audience: Breandan
Music: Michael Steele
Art: Amy Steele
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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 HillGrandchildren in the audience: Breandan
Music: Michael Steele
Art: Amy Steele
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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.
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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 HillGorf: Grandpa
Marshmallow: David Richman
Music: David Richman
Art: Amy Steele
Grandchildren in the audience: Sarah, David, Leah, Anna, Miriam, Raymond, and Naomi.
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One Day Truck Driving Career
Grandpa Hill needed to earn money for college in 1976. He got a job working in a chemical factory. It was a stinky job with many hazards. He got a chance to be promoted to be a truck driver. He was to go at lunch renew the license he did not have and then finish out his shift, and report for work Monday morning to drive a truck he did not know how to drive. The story is about Grandpa Hill’s first day as a driver and how his career ended quickly.
Gorf and Marshmallow discuss the clever way Grandpa started his driving career. Marshmallow is so excited about Grandpa’s adventure in truck driving. Gorf is adamant that Grandpa needed to be more honest and suggests a better more honest way to have talked to the owner, Mr. Michelin about getting his license.
Credits:
Produced by David Richman
Executively Produced by Grandpa HillGorf: Grandpa
Marshmallow: David Richman
Music: Michael Steele
Art: David Richman
Grandchildren in the audience: Sarah, David, Leah, Anna, Miriam, and Ray
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Brandy Pony is Sold
Grandpa Hill, decided in 1973 in the summer to sell his Brandy. He had received Brandy for his 13th birthday.
As horse and rider Grandpa and Brandy had been through a lot together. Grandpa had learned to be responsible, to be a caregiver, and he learned how to ride well enough to stay on Brandy. Grandpa still considered Brandy to be very stubborn and failed to see the steady progress of gentling that was occurring with Brandy. The plan was to sell Brandy and if possible all of his tack.
On that fateful morning when a potential buyer came to his house Grandpa saddled up Brandy for the little girl that was going to be riding him in the future. Grandpa was shocked and surprised by Brandy’s behavior. The sale went through. Grandpa had $600 from the sale of Brandy plus tack. Now, he wanted a car! The experience with Brandy demanded that he learn a lot, and do a lot. Getting bucked and thrown wasn’t comfortable. Owning a horse and starting from scratch without knowledge, skill, or contacts, required thinking. As he remembers it he laughed a lot as he tried and tried and tried again.
Credits:
Produced by David Richman, Executively Produced by Grandpa Hill
Voice of Gorf: Grandpa, Voice of Marshmallow: David,
Art: David Richman,
Music: Michael Steele,
Grandchildren: Joseph, Catherine, and Lizzy