I am so fortunate to live in the same community with my four
grandchildren – all grandsons. This is so different from my experience with my
grandfathers. My mother’s father died before I was born. Thus, I never knew him
or had the opportunity to develop a relationship with him although Mabel, my
mother, always told me I would have loved him. I did know my dad’s father, Roy
Cruzan but, when I was a child, my family was so far away from him that I
really had no relationship with him. I did see him once or twice a year on
visits to South Jersey where he lived but there was no time to bond or grow
with him.
By contrast, Sue and I have been caregivers for each of our
grandsons from the time they were born. Our house is their house, and we enjoy
wonderful relationships with all four.
This blog post, with no intention of ignoring the remaining
three, will focus on our first, Ivan.
Ivan was the first great grandson of Ivan FitzRandolph for
whom he was named. He was the first grandchild of both of his grandfathers, Ted
Sykora and me. So, you see, Ivan grew up basking in the doting love of both of
his grandpas.
Ivan has always been a hard worker and was ready and willing
to assist with nearly any task. He is a great yard caretaker, a life saver when
it is time to put up outside Christmas lights, and other things too numerous to
list here.
This past fall, while helping me with some firewood chores. I
mentioned to Ivan that I’d really like to avail myself of a wood splitter to
clean up and make useable a couple of downed trees in my back forty. I should
mention that many years ago, I did wood splitting with a mall and wedges and
then hauled the fireplace size pieces on a toboggan to the house where I stored
them in the basement. Physically, I can no longer do splitting this way. Ivan
picked up on this immediate and replied that his other grandpa, Ted Sykora
(whom most of you knew as a great local dentist), had built a wood splitter
several years ago and that he (Ivan) had assisted him. Ivan thought that,
maybe, that splitter could be transported into town from Ted & Laura’s farm,
and we could use it. This immediately created a warm, special feeling in me so
I told Ivan I would speak to his dad and to see what he thought of this idea.
I need to digress here and state that today, December 14,
2023, is one year since Ted was promoted to Glory after a valiant struggle with
cancer. Ivan, as well as his brother Gus, was close with Ted and helped him around the farm. Ivan became a
caregiver for Ted during his illness and often stayed with him overnight as
those needs arose.
Ted and I did not know each other well – primarily passing acquaintances
– but I heard so much about him from Ivan. While primarily known as one of
Milton’s dentists, Ted also managed a small farmstead. I don’t think there was
anything this man couldn’t do. He created and made things from scratch (the wood
splitter being a phenomenal example). He built his house as well as helping his
son, Leif, and daughter Candice build theirs. He made do with what he had. I have absolutely no skills of this kind at all
and so admire those who do. By contrast my tools are basically pens and legal
pads. Ted also played the cello. Ivan plays violin but his younger brother, Gus,
plays the cello.
So, back to the beginning of this story – transporting the homemade
wood splitter to town became a reality. Leif and Ivan checked it out at the farm
and got it running. Then they transported it to my woods behind my house (no, I
did not build it, nor would I have a clue) in the middle of town. Ivan ensured
that it was set up near the wood that was ready for splitting. Leif and Ivan
provided instructions on its operation (remember that this is hand made from
spare parts laying about the farm) and we were good to go.
A couple of days later, Ivan and I spent a few quality hours
together splitting and stacking wood. I had the hard job of operating the lever
that controlled the ram while Ivan hauled and stacked. We enjoyed each other’s
company and the sense of satisfaction of good work well done.
Throughout this time together, I was overcome with love and emotion.
Working side-by-side with a grandson is a true joy. I could not help but
reflect on Ivan helping his Grandpa Ted build this piece of useful equipment
and then help me, his Grandpa Jon, with this task. Ivan learned so much from Ted – how to use his
hands, how to create, how to make do, and how to give back and support others. Ted,
I hope you were watching us that day and in days to come as Ivan and I continue
working with this splitter. I can only imagine the smile on your face.
