A Note From My Grandmother

Sometime in the late 1990s, my Grandmother, Lena, gave me 5-6 of her books. Self help. Poetry. Perspective — Riane Eisler’s Chalice and The Blade is one that I first enjoyed because of Grandma.

Lena was a smart one. A fierce one too. And, a loving one. She took me under her wing for a time, particularly in my lost late teens. She helped me to see a much broader picture. I often think of her when I host groups. In many Art of Hostings, I often imagined that she would have loved those gatherings and those communities.

That’s Grandma Lena above, pictured with my Grandpa Ken. Lena lived to 89 — she passed in 2008. Ken lived to 85 — he passed in 2015. I’ve been lucky to know all of my grandparents. A few of my great grandparents also.

Back to Grandma’s books, gifted in the late 1990s. The books were great. But it’s the note in one of them that I most cherish.

“Tenn — May the wisdom in these books help you both to prevent burnout and maybe you could even teach others to stay on top of their dragons. Anyway, hope you always love us.”

She signed it “G’Ma.”

I don’t remember quite appreciating the note as much then. I was a young father. Full and busy. Not quite so able to lean in the nuanced complexity of my past and future. But, oh, has that note made me smile over the years. I have learned some things. I have taught a fair amount. And I’ve learned about dragons. Angels too.

So glad for it. A note on paper from Lena, G’Ma. And a big helpful guide in my heart. Makes me want to host a few conversations about grandparents. 🙂