How My Family Went from Tragedy to Redemption

We aren't perfect. My just start out We aren't perfect. My just start out with my dad, he grew up with my dad, he grew up with my dad, he grew up in the beginning without a father. His in the beginning without a father. His in the beginning without a father. His father died when he was seven. father died when he was seven. father died when he was seven. And then he was at 12 years old was And then he was at 12 years old was And then he was at 12 years old was taken as a foster child. taken as a foster child. taken as a foster child. And he had to learn to And he had to learn to And he had to learn to he milked cows every day from 12 till he he milked cows every day from 12 till he he milked cows every day from 12 till he was a was a was a junior in high school. junior in high school. junior in high school. 3:00 in the morning, 3:00 in the 3:00 in the morning, 3:00 in the 3:00 in the morning, 3:00 in the afternoon. afternoon. afternoon. And all of those were things that um And all of those were things that um And all of those were things that um >> And that was before when you milked a >> And that was before when you milked a >> And that was before when you milked a cow cow cow it was hand. That was by hand. it was hand. That was by hand. it was hand. That was by hand. >> That was mechanically by hand. >> That was mechanically by hand. >> That was mechanically by hand. And so And so And so he didn't really know how he didn't really know how he didn't really know how or what the role of a father was that he or what the role of a father was that he or what the role of a father was that he had to just kind of had to just kind of had to just kind of wing it. wing it. wing it. And um And um And um there was my grandfather there was my grandfather there was my grandfather that uh they took me and raised me a that uh they took me and raised me a that uh they took me and raised me a little past two little past two little past two that young in the life and then that young in the life and then that young in the life and then on with every vacation on with every vacation on with every vacation I would travel 150 miles, spend it with I would travel 150 miles, spend it with I would travel 150 miles, spend it with them two months out of the summer them two months out of the summer them two months out of the summer gave me more of a perspective gave me more of a perspective gave me more of a perspective of a of a of a relationship with that a boy should have relationship with that a boy should have relationship with that a boy should have with his father with his father with his father to interact, appreciate one another.

to interact, appreciate one another. to interact, appreciate one another. And so And so And so um he even um he even um he even took the place for my my own biological took the place for my my own biological took the place for my my own biological father father father in that um in that um in that um after he'd married my mother after he'd married my mother after he'd married my mother um um um he had no real occupation and my he had no real occupation and my he had no real occupation and my grandfather took the place of a normal grandfather took the place of a normal grandfather took the place of a normal father, sent him to school to give him a father, sent him to school to give him a father, sent him to school to give him a profession. profession. profession. So So So I had some different roles that played I had some different roles that played I had some different roles that played out before me out before me out before me with those circumstances. with those circumstances. with those circumstances. >> Yeah, You know, took a road trip a few >> Yeah, You know, took a road trip a few >> Yeah, You know, took a road trip a few months ago and went back to the little months ago and went back to the little months ago and went back to the little town town town >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> where your grandparents lived, my >> where your grandparents lived, my >> where your grandparents lived, my great-grandparents. great-grandparents. great-grandparents. And it was still pretty much intact. And it was still pretty much intact. And it was still pretty much intact. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It hadn't transformed too much. >> It hadn't transformed too much. >> It hadn't transformed too much. >> It It hadn't grown. >> It It hadn't grown. >> It It hadn't grown. >> of Kansas City. >> of Kansas City. >> of Kansas City. >> Well, population had grown cuz they're >> Well, population had grown cuz they're >> Well, population had grown cuz they're close to Kansas City, but the close to Kansas City, but the close to Kansas City, but the um economic part was not doing too well. um economic part was not doing too well. um economic part was not doing too well. >> Main Street hadn't changed a lot. >> Main Street hadn't changed a lot. >> Main Street hadn't changed a lot. >> No. >> No. >> No. >> And I know we did a podcast earlier >> And I know we did a podcast earlier >> And I know we did a podcast earlier where some of this we caught up in that, where some of this we caught up in that, where some of this we caught up in that, but I want to go back in a minute cuz I but I want to go back in a minute cuz I but I want to go back in a minute cuz I think it helps.

think it helps. think it helps. Um the narrative will help us Um the narrative will help us Um the narrative will help us and and people can benefit from it. and and people can benefit from it. and and people can benefit from it. Um as you said, your grandfather Um as you said, your grandfather Um as you said, your grandfather helped your dad get some education helped your dad get some education helped your dad get some education so he had a profession. so he had a profession. so he had a profession. Your mom was a school teacher. Your mom was a school teacher. Your mom was a school teacher. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Which in the 1930s, that was a kind of a >> Which in the 1930s, that was a kind of a >> Which in the 1930s, that was a kind of a breakthrough role. breakthrough role. breakthrough role. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> I mean, for her to have gotten a >> I mean, for her to have gotten a >> [snorts] >> a teaching degree and >> a teaching degree and >> a teaching degree and I remember I seen a picture where I remember I seen a picture where I remember I seen a picture where I mean, they had a dirt an airstrip and I mean, they had a dirt an airstrip and I mean, they had a dirt an airstrip and an airplane had come to that little town an airplane had come to that little town an airplane had come to that little town where they lived. where they lived. where they lived. I mean, Cleveland, Missouri, what was I mean, Cleveland, Missouri, what was I mean, Cleveland, Missouri, what was How many What was the population of How many What was the population of How many What was the population of Cleveland when you were a kid? Cleveland when you were a kid? Cleveland when you were a kid? >> Oh, God, 200 to 250. >> Oh, God, 200 to 250. >> Oh, God, 200 to 250. >> Big big big town. >> Big big big town. >> Big big big town. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So to have an airplane land at some >> So to have an airplane land at some >> So to have an airplane land at some grass strip and your mom grass strip and your mom grass strip and your mom going for a ride in the airplane in the going for a ride in the airplane in the going for a ride in the airplane in the '30s, I'm thinking that was kind of a '30s, I'm thinking that was kind of a '30s, I'm thinking that was kind of a breakthrough. breakthrough. breakthrough. >> Yeah, and there there were actually what >> Yeah, and there there were actually what >> Yeah, and there there were actually what you're talking about before I forget it, you're talking about before I forget it, you're talking about before I forget it, the importance that men play in the importance that men play in the importance that men play in communities like that, little communities like that, little communities like that, little communities.

communities. communities. Because I mentioned to you how my dad Because I mentioned to you how my dad Because I mentioned to you how my dad was a foster child from 12 through the was a foster child from 12 through the was a foster child from 12 through the junior year. junior year. junior year. Well, Well, Well, you don't know his personality, but he'd you don't know his personality, but he'd you don't know his personality, but he'd had all that higher education he wanted had all that higher education he wanted had all that higher education he wanted and so he quit school as a after his and so he quit school as a after his and so he quit school as a after his junior year junior year junior year and worked at a job where he traveled and worked at a job where he traveled and worked at a job where he traveled around with show cattle. around with show cattle. around with show cattle. But there was a man, a lawyer in that But there was a man, a lawyer in that But there was a man, a lawyer in that little community who had known the little community who had known the little community who had known the family's history and the turmoil that family's history and the turmoil that family's history and the turmoil that they'd gone through with the loss of a they'd gone through with the loss of a they'd gone through with the loss of a father and a widow with six kids. father and a widow with six kids. father and a widow with six kids. And he went to him and he said, And he went to him and he said, And he went to him and he said, "Kenneth, "Kenneth, "Kenneth, you need to go back to school. you need to go back to school. you need to go back to school. You'll need that diploma sometime." You'll need that diploma sometime." You'll need that diploma sometime." And that's where one man And that's where one man And that's where one man can change can change can change a kid's life. And my dad went back to a kid's life. And my dad went back to a kid's life. And my dad went back to school, school, school, but he told me one day, he said, but he told me one day, he said, but he told me one day, he said, "George, "George, "George, I don't know if I got anything." Because I don't know if I got anything." Because I don't know if I got anything." Because he said, "Where I got up at 3:00 in the he said, "Where I got up at 3:00 in the he said, "Where I got up at 3:00 in the morning and milked, he said, I slept morning and milked, he said, I slept morning and milked, he said, I slept through most of the classes, but I got a through most of the classes, but I got a through most of the classes, but I got a diploma."

diploma." diploma." And that's what [clears throat] allowed And that's what [clears throat] allowed And that's what [clears throat] allowed him him him to go get further education for an to go get further education for an to go get further education for an occupation because that one man occupation because that one man occupation because that one man pushing him to go on and do what he must pushing him to go on and do what he must pushing him to go on and do what he must do. do. do. >> And a poor student with really bad >> And a poor student with really bad >> And a poor student with really bad circumstances circumstances circumstances >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> But he ended up being a success in life. >> But he ended up being a success in life. >> But he ended up being a success in life. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> He was a business success. >> He was a business success. >> He was a business success. Um I mean, by the time I knew him Um I mean, by the time I knew him Um I mean, by the time I knew him >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And so I I don't want to bury the lead >> And so I I don't want to bury the lead >> And so I I don't want to bury the lead in this cuz I'll come back to it before in this cuz I'll come back to it before in this cuz I'll come back to it before we're done, but we're done, but we're done, but there's multiple generations here where there's multiple generations here where there's multiple generations here where there was enough brokenness there was enough brokenness there was enough brokenness that if you stood apart at and looked at that if you stood apart at and looked at that if you stood apart at and looked at it, you would you'd think there wasn't it, you would you'd think there wasn't it, you would you'd think there wasn't much future. much future. much future. But the reality is all along that way But the reality is all along that way But the reality is all along that way through multiple generations, God has through multiple generations, God has through multiple generations, God has provided what was needed provided what was needed provided what was needed that brought good things. I mean, I'm that brought good things. I mean, I'm that brought good things. I mean, I'm sitting three generations into it. sitting three generations into it. sitting three generations into it. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> And that's a consistent theme in this >> And that's a consistent theme in this >> And that's a consistent theme in this story that we're going to tell them a story that we're going to tell them a story that we're going to tell them a bit of. bit of. bit of. And I think everybody needs to hear And I think everybody needs to hear And I think everybody needs to hear that. You don't have to have the perfect that. You don't have to have the perfect that. You don't have to have the perfect circumstance. circumstance. circumstance. There can be tragedy and loss and There can be tragedy and loss and There can be tragedy and loss and and difficulty and it doesn't feel like and difficulty and it doesn't feel like and difficulty and it doesn't feel like there's enough voices supporting you.

there's enough voices supporting you. there's enough voices supporting you. But really all you need is God to But really all you need is God to But really all you need is God to provide a voice. And I have found in my provide a voice. And I have found in my provide a voice. And I have found in my life sometimes if there isn't another life sometimes if there isn't another life sometimes if there isn't another voice, God will use his voice. voice, God will use his voice. voice, God will use his voice. And so And so And so that was true for your dad. that was true for your dad. that was true for your dad. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> God gave him a voice that helped him get >> God gave him a voice that helped him get >> God gave him a voice that helped him get through school. through school. through school. Then he fell in love with your mom and Then he fell in love with your mom and Then he fell in love with your mom and your grandfather took an active role in your grandfather took an active role in your grandfather took an active role in helping him be a helping him be a helping him be a He improved his potential as a He improved his potential as a He improved his potential as a son-in-law. And then after you were born son-in-law. And then after you were born son-in-law. And then after you were born your mom contracted what I think we know your mom contracted what I think we know your mom contracted what I think we know now was scarlet fever, but I'm not sure now was scarlet fever, but I'm not sure now was scarlet fever, but I'm not sure they had the diagnostics to know that at they had the diagnostics to know that at they had the diagnostics to know that at the time. the time. the time. >> Well, and the >> Well, and the >> Well, and the physician physician physician used some bad judgment. used some bad judgment. used some bad judgment. >> He was He had a alcohol problem and >> He was He had a alcohol problem and >> He was He had a alcohol problem and he actually gave my mother pneumonia he actually gave my mother pneumonia he actually gave my mother pneumonia by the way he treated her fever with the by the way he treated her fever with the by the way he treated her fever with the bacterial infection. bacterial infection. bacterial infection. >> She She saw a kitten. >> She She saw a kitten. >> She She saw a kitten. >> And a pup- puppy in a >> And a pup- puppy in a >> And a pup- puppy in a >> The puppy. >> The puppy. >> The puppy. >> in a boy's arm. She loved kids.

>> in a boy's arm. She loved kids. >> in a boy's arm. She loved kids. >> And she got down and played with the >> And she got down and played with the >> And she got down and played with the puppy. puppy. puppy. >> And the little boy had scarlet fever. >> And the little boy had scarlet fever. >> And the little boy had scarlet fever. >> And nobody knew it. >> And nobody knew it. >> And nobody knew it. >> And they didn't know it at the time. >> And they didn't know it at the time. >> And they didn't know it at the time. >> And then the doctor's treatment protocol >> And then the doctor's treatment protocol >> And then the doctor's treatment protocol was to put it cuz she had a high was to put it cuz she had a high was to put it cuz she had a high temperature. He put a wet sheet on her temperature. He put a wet sheet on her temperature. He put a wet sheet on her and opened the window. and opened the window. and opened the window. >> Right. And that was in >> Right. And that was in >> Right. And that was in >> in the wintertime. >> in the wintertime. >> in the wintertime. >> In January in central Missouri. >> In January in central Missouri. >> In January in central Missouri. >> So you lost your mom when you were a few >> So you lost your mom when you were a few >> So you lost your mom when you were a few weeks old. weeks old. weeks old. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And your father >> And your father >> And your father had a hard time coping with that. had a hard time coping with that. had a hard time coping with that. And his family was on the West Coast at And his family was on the West Coast at And his family was on the West Coast at that point. So he went to be with his that point. So he went to be with his that point. So he went to be with his family. family. family. >> Two years. He left for two years. >> Two years. He left for two years. >> Two years. He left for two years. >> If I don't If I don't tell your story >> If I don't If I don't tell your story >> If I don't If I don't tell your story right, you correct me. right, you correct me. right, you correct me. This is your This is your This is your >> I'm I'm sh- I'm very timid. >> I'm I'm sh- I'm very timid. >> I'm I'm sh- I'm very timid. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> They've heard you enough. They >> They've heard you enough. They >> They've heard you enough. They understand. understand. understand. So for two years you lived with your So for two years you lived with your So for two years you lived with your grandparents. I mean, from birth through grandparents. I mean, from birth through grandparents. I mean, from birth through two years of age. two years of age. two years of age. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> And then as you said a minute ago, and >> And then as you said a minute ago, and >> And then as you said a minute ago, and then you're going to be back with your then you're going to be back with your then you're going to be back with your grandparents all every summer vacation grandparents all every summer vacation grandparents all every summer vacation all the holidays where that's there's all the holidays where that's there's all the holidays where that's there's any way possible. any way possible. any way possible. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> They were a powerful powerful influence >> They were a powerful powerful influence >> They were a powerful powerful influence in your life.

in your life. in your life. >> Yeah, because >> Yeah, because >> Yeah, because >> So, let's start with your grandfather. >> So, let's start with your grandfather. >> So, let's start with your grandfather. But, his life wasn't easy. But, his life wasn't easy. But, his life wasn't easy. >> My grandfather had a difficulty then >> My grandfather had a difficulty then >> My grandfather had a difficulty then from the time when he was a young man from the time when he was a young man from the time when he was a young man originally was a farmer originally was a farmer originally was a farmer and um and um and um through an accident with a old wood through an accident with a old wood through an accident with a old wood burning stove where my burning stove where my burning stove where my biological grandmother was ironing biological grandmother was ironing biological grandmother was ironing clothes that heated on the stove clothes that heated on the stove clothes that heated on the stove kerosene fell off, exploded, set her on kerosene fell off, exploded, set her on kerosene fell off, exploded, set her on fire, and she lived 10 days. fire, and she lived 10 days. fire, and she lived 10 days. >> So, your grandfather lost his first wife >> So, your grandfather lost his first wife >> So, your grandfather lost his first wife in a tragic accident. in a tragic accident. in a tragic accident. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> And then when he remarried the lady that >> And then when he remarried the lady that >> And then when he remarried the lady that you knew as your grandmother you knew as your grandmother you knew as your grandmother she was a piano teacher. she was a piano teacher. she was a piano teacher. >> She taught piano and violin to my >> She taught piano and violin to my >> She taught piano and violin to my mother. mother. mother. And then in another [clears throat] And then in another [clears throat] And then in another [clears throat] 15 years, she taught me piano, 15 years, she taught me piano, 15 years, she taught me piano, saxophone, clarinet. saxophone, clarinet. saxophone, clarinet. >> Yeah, that's a frightening thought right >> Yeah, that's a frightening thought right >> Yeah, that's a frightening thought right there. But there. But there. But >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But, I mean But, I mean But, I mean she had known my mother where she could she had known my mother where she could she had known my mother where she could love her.

love her. love her. And um And um And um my grandfather my grandfather my grandfather they raised my mother then they raised my mother then they raised my mother then in a in a very good way in a in a very good way in a in a very good way because he went to school and became a because he went to school and became a because he went to school and became a a professional a professional a professional and um and um and um my grandmother continued to support him my grandmother continued to support him my grandmother continued to support him in all that he did through the years. In in all that he did through the years. In in all that he did through the years. In fact, that's where I really knew what it fact, that's where I really knew what it fact, that's where I really knew what it was to be loved. was to be loved. was to be loved. >> But, I I think with the narrative that >> But, I I think with the narrative that >> But, I I think with the narrative that we're kind of pulling out of this, and we're kind of pulling out of this, and we're kind of pulling out of this, and we didn't plan this we didn't plan this we didn't plan this that adds a fourth generation that adds a fourth generation that adds a fourth generation where there was tragedy. where there was tragedy. where there was tragedy. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And and heartbreak. >> And and heartbreak. >> And and heartbreak. And yet And yet And yet God managed to write a story through it. God managed to write a story through it. God managed to write a story through it. See, I I think we I mean, you and I we See, I I think we I mean, you and I we See, I I think we I mean, you and I we both we deal with a lot of people, but both we deal with a lot of people, but both we deal with a lot of people, but there's a lie that the enemy brings that there's a lie that the enemy brings that there's a lie that the enemy brings that because our life has a tragedy in it or because our life has a tragedy in it or because our life has a tragedy in it or a significant heartbreak in it, and a significant heartbreak in it, and a significant heartbreak in it, and sometimes it's self-induced, and sometimes it's self-induced, and sometimes it's self-induced, and sometimes sometimes sometimes it's circumstances, it's circumstances, it's circumstances, that are we we can't have a positive that are we we can't have a positive that are we we can't have a positive outcome to our lives.

outcome to our lives. outcome to our lives. And we sit here today, and I mean, for And we sit here today, and I mean, for And we sit here today, and I mean, for four generations, we can say that's not four generations, we can say that's not four generations, we can say that's not true. true. true. And I suspect if we could excavate it And I suspect if we could excavate it And I suspect if we could excavate it further back, further back, further back, I don't know anybody that gets through I don't know anybody that gets through I don't know anybody that gets through without some significant heartbreak and without some significant heartbreak and without some significant heartbreak and heartache. heartache. heartache. So, your grandfather now, you got your So, your grandfather now, you got your So, your grandfather now, you got your your his daughter died, your mom died. your his daughter died, your mom died. your his daughter died, your mom died. So, he lost his first wife, and now he's So, he lost his first wife, and now he's So, he lost his first wife, and now he's lost his daughter. And for two years, he lost his daughter. And for two years, he lost his daughter. And for two years, he has you, and your dad comes back from has you, and your dad comes back from has you, and your dad comes back from California, California, California, and he's ready and he's ready and he's ready >> Oregon. >> Oregon. >> Oregon. >> From from Oregon. It was the West Coast. And he's ready to remarry, and so he And he's ready to remarry, and so he wants to put his home back together, wants to put his home back together, wants to put his home back together, which means which means which means >> Let me tell you that part. I thought >> Let me tell you that part. I thought >> Let me tell you that part. I thought about it today. about it today. about it today. >> Uh-oh. >> Uh-oh. >> Uh-oh. >> This is where >> This is where >> This is where it's important it's important it's important that um that um that um experience with life and difficulty experience with life and difficulty experience with life and difficulty takes place. takes place. takes place. Cuz when my dad came back, Cuz when my dad came back, Cuz when my dad came back, um um um and he was living with my grandparents, and he was living with my grandparents, and he was living with my grandparents, who I was living with, who I was living with, who I was living with, they recognized where he was, they recognized where he was, they recognized where he was, and that he was at a point and that he was at a point and that he was at a point he was going to he was going to he was going to find a mother for me.

find a mother for me. find a mother for me. And so, with the wisdom of experience in And so, with the wisdom of experience in And so, with the wisdom of experience in life, my grandparents invited a lady who life, my grandparents invited a lady who life, my grandparents invited a lady who had been a had been a had been a schoolmate of my mother's schoolmate of my mother's schoolmate of my mother's when they went to college. when they went to college. when they went to college. They were all in teacher training They were all in teacher training They were all in teacher training together, and together, and together, and they just happened to invite her to come they just happened to invite her to come they just happened to invite her to come over and see sweet little George, over and see sweet little George, over and see sweet little George, because she had known my mother and was because she had known my mother and was because she had known my mother and was at the funeral, and at the funeral, and at the funeral, and and so they invited her over to see me. and so they invited her over to see me. and so they invited her over to see me. And that was the beginning of her And that was the beginning of her And that was the beginning of her becoming my stepmother.