Growing up Grant...

...was a far cry from Growing up Gotti. The statement, on the other hand, alliterates just as resonantly!

My last two blogs took me back in time (yes, I know, I do it quite often!) to when I started reading. As soon as I was able, I was allotted the children’s section of the daily paper to enjoy. Once it was felt that I could ‘graduate’ to more serious topics, I was encouraged to read the entire publication. Starting with the daily cartoon, one progressed from the sports, to the international news, to city happenings and finally to national events – a routine which continues to this day.

What made this practice special was that I had to be able to discuss a topic of my choice, from the news of the day, and state my opinion. The only proviso was that I should be able to justify it. I could not say that a particular person was ‘bad’ or that a particular decision was ‘stupid’, I also had to reason why and try and hold my own in the ensuing ‘argument’! Now, many, many years later I am able to receive the news objectively and questioningly. There is an involvement with the happening world. There is an interest in things other than just myself and my immediate environment.

Home and family set the foundation for the child to become parent of the adult (‘father of the man’ now being politically incorrect?!). A child who is raised to be connected will more often than not turn out a caring and concerned citizen. A child who is taught by example to be indifferent will probably be clueless to all else other than what is needed to pass examinations. Certain educational institutions may seek to address this problem, but they are more likely to be successful in capturing the mind; it is the home that captures the heart.

Children learn what they live – and life begins at home.

Incidentally, though my mother today needs a magnifying glass to read her paper, she insists on being au fait with the news! There’s example for you.

Growing up Grant was not always such sweetness and light. My parents believed in corporal punishment and I did try to break a few records in that area! But, as a passage from my diary recalls, through all the patterns that make up the tapestry that is life, there runs a thread of gold – treasured memories and the practices that make us what we are.

And yes, I have plenty of anecdotes about ‘Growing up Grant’. Let’s see what memory dredges up next!