I would love to have a conversation with the Big Man himself. I would have to think that many people would take such an opportunity to ask Him for things like power, wealth, or fame.
 

Then there would be those who'd ask the ‘why’ questions. Why did You take my spouse? Why do children die of cancer? Why was I born with six toes on my left foot?

Then I suspect there would be a fair amount of people wanting answers. Who killed Kennedy? Where’s Jimmy Hoffa’s body? Do cats really like humans, or do they just tolerate us? Is there really a Bigfoot?

I think that all of these inquiries are fair and legitimate conversation pieces for the Creator, after all, He did make us and therefore is our Father. Still, I wouldn’t fall into any of these categories. I would have just one line of questioning, starting with, “How is grandpa?”

Kenneth Lee Sones was born on January 21st, 1923. I had no idea what year he was born, and when I looked up his obituary, I was surprised to discover that I was writing and submitting this on the exact day that would have been my grandfather’s 100th birthday.

He was a lifelong resident of Indiana, although he loved to travel, and visited places such as California and Hawaii. My grandfather had movie star looks, with jet black hair and dark eyes. More important, he was the greatest person that I have ever known.

In November of 1989, while serving out-of-state in the United States Marine Corps, I received a phone call from my aunt, telling me that my Grandpa Sones had passed away in his sleep while napping on his couch. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. He was 66 years old. I was 21 years old.

It was heartbreaking news and came at the worst time. Much of the family was in England, visiting my brother who was serving overseas in the US Army. Due to expenses, they would not be able to change their travel itinerary and couldn't return home early for the funeral. Not only had we lost grandpa, but my mother, brother, sister, and a couple other relatives would not be attending his funeral.

This seemed like such a horrible circumstance for the final tribute of such a great man. What made him great, I am sure you are wondering. Was he rich? Did he invent something? Was he famous? Nope, nope, and nope. He did much better things than all that.

When my two cousins' mother died while they were toddlers, he rescued them from an abusive father. He took them in and raised them.
 

When my mother was running and hiding from my own abusive stepfather, we were in danger of living in a homeless shelter. Grandpa already had my two cousins living there, yet he took in my mom and her four children. She tried to pay him rent and he refused to take it.

There were six kids without fathers, living in one house, so he stepped up. He taught us things. So many things. He taught me how to change oil in a car, change a tire, and work on furnaces. Later in life, he got my brother and I one of our first jobs, working beside him as maintenance at an apartment complex.

Where many men were faltering, or down right failing, my grandpa was stepping in, even after having raised five kids of his own. He became the father that none of us had. Sadly, I don’t think that they make too many men like him anymore. So, what would I say to God?

How is Grandpa Sones? Is he okay? Is he happy? Will I get to see him again one day, even if it is just to say “thank you” for all the impact that he had on my life and the life of others? Because I never got that chance.

He was the first of my four grandparents to go. His wife, my Grandma Iris, was the last to pass at 95, just last year. The impact was immediate. The world seemed a little dimmer, a little sadder, and a little lonelier, knowing that I no longer had any grandparents.

So, is God listening? I believe so. I also believe that He answers us, but on His schedule and not ours. I choose to believe that all things shall be revealed in time. I just know that I still miss my grandfather, so I will finish by saying, Happy Birthday, Grandpa.