The purpose of this, my very first blog, is to celebrate the life of my grandfather, Clifford Roy Carter. Way back in my second year at Millar College of the Bible, I took a Historical Books class and one of our assignments was to interview a parent or a grandparent about their lives and comment on how that has shaped me personally. Both my grandparents had been visiting for my older brother's wedding and so I sat down with them to ask them a few questions. Unfortunately, I don't have an actual transcript of the conversation (yes, the linguist within is weeping), but I do have the assignment I handed in later. This was the very last visit I had with my grandma before she passed away and, although I am sad that Grandpa has now followed her, I am not sad that they have now had their reunion in heaven.
For this assignment, I interviewed my dad’s parents, Clifford Roy
Carter and Clara Irene Carter, nee Thorlakson.
1.
Grandma came from a family of
nine and Grandpa came from a family of two.
2.
Grandma got her first job at
fifteen and Grandpa got his at fourteen.
3.
Both earned $15/week.
4.
Grandma started dating at
nineteen and Grandpa started at eighteen.
5.
Grandma didn’t date anyone
before marriage, Grandpa dated two girls, but not seriously. He dumped the
first girl after their first date because she made him pay for a streetcar to
go one block and she tried to seduce him after.
The other one he dated for two years but he was only doing it as a
favour to a friend who was trying to get rid of her.
6.
Grandpa and Grandma spent
$11,900 for the first house and $450 for the first car.
7.
Grandma got her Grade 12 and
one year of Bible College. Grandpa got
his Grade 11 and three years of Bible College.
8.
Grandpa said that his biggest
problem at twenty was deciding what car to buy.
Other problems, such as drugs and violence, were not nearly so
prevalent. They both stated that things
have gotten more difficult since they were young.
9.
Grandpa said the happiest
moment of his life was meeting “Sunshine” which is what he called my
Grandma. Grandma said her happiest time
was when she got married.
10.
My Grandma had a very difficult
childhood. She was a foster child for
seven and a half years, and she had abusive foster parents. Grandpa said his worst difficulty was having
to go to school when he hated it so much.
One thing I can learn from my grandparents is to fully rely on
God. A common theme in many of their
stories was God’s provision. They say
that God brought them together and that he was leading them throughout their
lives together. They shared stories of
when God had spoken to them and told them where to go.
My history has given me a lot of things. I have the famous Carter sense of humour and
it comes from my dad, who got it from my grandpa. I got my love of language from him. He taught me to say chronometer before I was
two years old.
I also have a rich spiritual heritage through the Grandparents on my
Father’s side. My Grandpa is a pastor
and they both spend a lot of time praying for their children and
grandchildren. My Grandpa sends all of
us promise verses every year at Christmas and every year I am amazed at how he
sends us verses that apply so well to what we are going through. My grandparents taught my father the Bible
and my father, in turn, has taught me to love God’s word. This is the most important thing that I
received from my grandparents.
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