If I could have a cup of coffee with any person, living or no longer living, I think I would chose my grandfather on my father’s side of the family. He was alive during the first three-quarters of the twentieth century. The insight he would be able to provide into our country’s history would be amazing. He went to any lengths to provide for his family during the great depression, and in his later years, he retired to a country farm in Pennsylvania where he spent his free time making maple syrup and maple sugar candy. Ralph George Sterling was born in 1906 and grew up in a small town near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. He was the son of the town’s chief of police – a real bastard if the stories told by my grandmother are to be believed. She said that he married her to find a home – one far away from the abusive father he grew up with. In doing so, my grandfather broke the cycle of alcoholism that ran in the family to that point. At the beginning of the great depression, he found himself – as with much of the country – out of work. He would leave home and tell my grandmother, “I’m going to find work. When I find something, I will send for you.” The last time he did this, he sent for her after find a job at a brickyard that was to last only ten days. It was a big risk, but it was work. He ended up retiring from that job as the superintendent of the brickyard nearly forty-five years later! After he retired, my grandparents moved to a country farm outside of Beaver Falls, PA. One of the things I remember most fondly of the time was the maple syrup my father would bring back with him after a visit. Granddad made the best syrup. His maple sugar candy was very good as well, and I remember it being a very special treat. I would really like to know what inspired him to get into the hobby of making it. I think most importantly, I would really like to hear my grandfather tell me of the things he saw and did during his lifetime. I know from talking to my grandmother before she died that reading of history in a book has nothing on the way a person who actually LIVED during those times can tell it. I would love to hear about the rise of the automobile or the proliferation of electricity and the advances of technology as he saw them. In conclusion, I would love to have a cup of coffee and visit with my grandfather. I think I could learn a lot by finding out what motivated him in his life, why he did the things he did, and how he viewed the changes the world went through as he lived. The opportunity to learn from the man would be invaluable. My professor’s response was:
Ian, Hi. This is beautifully written! Your style is smooth & sophisticated. I have no suggestions for you at this time. 🙂(Yes, she drew a smiley on the paper!) If I continue to do my homework and I continue to get results like these, I think I’m going to really enjoy this semester in school. Thanks for visiting and Keep Coming Back!!!]]>