My fathe
r-in-law, Gibby, the patriarch of the family, is 95 years old today. Over time, he has been known as Gilbert, Gib, Gibby, Dad, Grandpa, and, more recently, Great-Grandpa. I think Grandpa and Great-Grandpa are his favorites because he truly enjoys hearing from and visiting with his grandchildren (12) and great-grandchildren (12). George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, said, “We don’t stop playing because we get old; we grow old because we stop playing.” If this is true, Gibby’s love for the children will always keep him young at heart.
With faith, love, and hard work, Gibby and his wife reared seven children born in an eleven year span. I’m sure he probably looks back on those years now and wonders how they managed. As parents, we all do the seemingly impossible at times. An anonymo
us writer sums it up well: “One father is better at caring for ten children than ten children are for one father.” Gibby was a carpenter by trade, and everyone for whom he worked knew him as an honest man and skilled craftsman. Although he has always been a quiet man, he is not averse to taking part in multi-generational craziness (see picture). He was a willing participant when some of the “men in the family” thought they could masquerade as the Blues Brothers!
Gibby, a widower for almost six years, now lives in a retirement apartment comple
x near his hometown of Beecher, IL. Although he has experienced some physical infirmities, his mind is sharp. In the past years, Gibby and I have had 
many conversations during which he told me tales of his young days. We discussed family ancestors, farms where he lived, pet dogs, playing ball, fishing, the years before his marriage and when the children were young, etc. I value these times we spent together to hear stories which otherwise would be unknown and which I can now pass on to my sons, David and Jonathan.
Happy 95th Birthday, Gibby. Best wishes for a wonderful day and a healthy year. Thanks for the memories. Love from Henri and Ginger.
r-in-law, Gibby, the patriarch of the family, is 95 years old today. Over time, he has been known as Gilbert, Gib, Gibby, Dad, Grandpa, and, more recently, Great-Grandpa. I think Grandpa and Great-Grandpa are his favorites because he truly enjoys hearing from and visiting with his grandchildren (12) and great-grandchildren (12). George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, said, “We don’t stop playing because we get old; we grow old because we stop playing.” If this is true, Gibby’s love for the children will always keep him young at heart.With faith, love, and hard work, Gibby and his wife reared seven children born in an eleven year span. I’m sure he probably looks back on those years now and wonders how they managed. As parents, we all do the seemingly impossible at times. An anonymo
us writer sums it up well: “One father is better at caring for ten children than ten children are for one father.” Gibby was a carpenter by trade, and everyone for whom he worked knew him as an honest man and skilled craftsman. Although he has always been a quiet man, he is not averse to taking part in multi-generational craziness (see picture). He was a willing participant when some of the “men in the family” thought they could masquerade as the Blues Brothers!Gibby, a widower for almost six years, now lives in a retirement apartment comple
x near his hometown of Beecher, IL. Although he has experienced some physical infirmities, his mind is sharp. In the past years, Gibby and I have had 
many conversations during which he told me tales of his young days. We discussed family ancestors, farms where he lived, pet dogs, playing ball, fishing, the years before his marriage and when the children were young, etc. I value these times we spent together to hear stories which otherwise would be unknown and which I can now pass on to my sons, David and Jonathan.Happy 95th Birthday, Gibby. Best wishes for a wonderful day and a healthy year. Thanks for the memories. Love from Henri and Ginger.
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