Five Generations: Looking Back and Forward
by Steve Norcross
At 69 years of age, I am blessed with three of us living and vivid memories of two others. Now that the year is turning to yet another, the holiday time has me looking back, and looking forward.
Granddad was, to me, a curious example of a not-very-interesting man. Coming from humble beginnings, he learned a trade that has long since been mechanized: plate glass cutting. Mostly I remember that he was grumpy, not joyful. Disciplined, not relaxed. A rule keeper and enforcer, not spontaneous or affectionate. His wife, my Gran, died in a car accident Granddad was about 70. He had no idea how to live beyond that loss. He moved to a cheap hotel, and my job was to take an electric razor and shave him once a week. I still remember touching his face and wondering about who this man really is. Every time I shave myself, I think briefly of
Granddad.
Dad was a little more accessible and transparent but not much. Mostly I remember Dad going to work and coming home. We did spend some quality time together as I was growing up, but what I missed was a man whose emotions were as transparent as were his rules. I have a great deal of compassion for him, looking back. He gave little because he had received little.
I, the third generation, share many qualities with the first two. We Norcrosses all look alike. Tall, slender, angular, quiet on the outside, introverted, guarded, cautious of affection. In some ways I am very different. In others, the family heritage through the fathers continues.
My son is a huge delight. After many years of hopeful waiting, he is finally living in the same community as I, and is a successful and popular voice on public radio. I am immensely proud of him, and love him to pieces. My heart skips a beat when I hear his voice on radio or see him as we get together for meals or outings.
I’ve only one grandchild, but she is the fifth generation and of course she is a total sweety. Unfortunately for me, she lives in Chicago but the travel between me and her is not impossible. Thanks to modern technology, I can speak to her daily and see her via webcam quite often. While the child of my daughter, I am enjoying the developing father-in-law relationship with her father. He is a super dad, and I never miss the chance to tell him so.
I’m thankful to be at the place in life that I still have my memory for looking back and still have some energy and mobility for looking ahead.
I am enormously blessed.
Steve Norcross is an Episcopal priest, living in Portland, Oregon. He serves as Priest in Charge of Ascension Parish, and Director of Pastoral Services, William Temple House. His avocations are writing, hiking, travelling, and involvement in the ManKind Project on the local and national level.
– is a deeply personal issue that everyone decides for himself. Sometimes the price is high, sometimes low. But this is not very important for life. Life is an interesting thing. And the price on Viagra – too.
