Grandpa's Love

Grandpa Dud is Grammy's husband. He loves my kids more than you can imagine. He didn't have to, you see, they're not biologically related to him. I don't think that ever occurs to him, though. He just loves us because we are his-he chose to when he married Grammy 17 years ago. That's a very special, different, precious kind of love than most people ever receive. My kids know no difference. I, however, do.

Grandpa Dud is a man of few words, but shows the kids (and all of us, really), through actions, just how much they mean to him each and everyday. The kids think and expect that Dud can fix anything! This Christmas, he made the boys a very special gift, one that they will remind them of Grandpa Dud every time they look at it or use it.

It is a fully stocked, totally handmade, kid-sized workbench! The tools are amazing-they're real tools, no kiddie tools for them! Everything the kids could want or need for their woodworking needs is right there on that bench! It even has a light! You can't imagine the amount of time and money that went into this labor of love! Grandpa Dud found the blueprints for this bench in his Handy Man magazine. As soon as he saw it, he decided he had to make it for the kids. In true Grandpa Dud fashion, the next day, he was at Lowes getting the wood needed. In 2 days, Dud had made the workbench and the paint was drying. It took several more trips to Lowes to fully stock that wonderful bench!

I'm not sure who was more excited, Dud giving it or the kids receiving it! Here are the boys once they saw the bench. Can't you just feel their excitement! It's off the charts! Grandpa Dud showed the kids each and every tool on the bench, and you better believe, before the bench comes home to our house, he'll show them how to use them. Not with a lot of fancy words, but with a strong loving hand and a watchful eye. He's great at allowing the kids to "do their own project" and offer encouragement when asked. He gives them the gift of making mistakes and then helps them correct those mistakes. He gives them total control of their own creativity while working in his shop. There is no judgement from Grandpa Dud, but rather amazement at what the kids can do. He doesn't micromanage like some Mommas I know. It's amazing to watch him with the kids and even more amazing to see what creative things they make under his watchful eye.

This is more than just a Christmas gift. This Christmas gift is the physical picture of a Grandpa's love for 5 very blessed children. A gift that they will treasure for ever and always as their link to Grandpa Dud.