Grandpa’s Ring

By Steve Martin

Grandpa’s ring wraps nice around my finger.

It’s a fit I had to grow a bit to wear.

Since my grandpa slipped on through eternity’s door

I have learned a thing or two.

Keep your gifts and treasures out and share them.

Keep your heart in touch with nature’s smile.

Promise to the Spirit of life

That you won’t give up

When things don’t seem to turn out right.

What a beautiful day!

Can you see the artwork of our Lord of love?

It’s a miracle to behold.

I enjoy the world around me in every space and time.

Whenever I am seeking, I will find

A beautiful day!

I see Grandpa on the front porch

Watching the children run and play,

With a glowing love in his eyes

And a smile upon his face.

I learned so much from that man,

Though he only spoke a few key words.

He said, keep your gifts and treasures out

and share them.

Keep your heart in touch with nature’s smile.

Promise to the Spirit of life

That you won’t give up

When things don’t seem to turn out right.

What a beautiful day!

Can you see the artwork of our Lord of love?

It’s a miracle to behold.

I enjoy the world around me in every space and time.

Whenever I am seeking, I will find

A beautiful day!

     I wrote this poem shortly after my Grandpa, Howard Ohse, died of cancer. It is a reflection on how he lived and the impact he made on others. I was very close to my Grandfather and though I cannot see him with my eyes anymore, I see him in my heart. My love and esteem for him grows with each passing day. 

     While growing up, I spent almost every day over at Grandpa’s house. I even had two official bus routes all through school. One was to my house. The other was to his. My mother and father were divorced, and Grandpa Ohse was a very caring and attentive Father figure for me.      

      He wasn’t a preachy kind of man. Grandpa believed strongly in the value of family. He was honest and hard working. When Howard Ohse was around, everyone was smiling and laughing. .. people always felt valued and important.

     Not long after I graduated high school he and my grandma moved from Illinois to Arizona to spend their retirement years. They returned to visit often. On one visit I noticed a ring on his finger. 

     Grandpa told me it was made by Native Americans from the mountains of Arizona. This ring was the coolest thing I had ever seen, handcrafted out of polished silver with a large turquoise stone. This was a one of a kind piece. No other ring was like it in the world.

     While he was alive I asked him for it just about every time I saw him. With each request he kindly told me that he liked it and was going to keep it. I eventually gave up and stopped asking.

    When Grandpa Ohse died he left the ring to me.  Receiving this gift from my grandfather was very special because I could not afford to fly to Arizona to see him as he was dying. There wasn’t enough time to drive there. The cancer took him too quickly. 

     Not being able to be with him as he suffered and died was so difficult for me. Somehow, when he willed the ring to me, I felt like he understood. I believe it was his way of remaining with me in a physical way. This was a reminder that he would always live in my heart.

     Grandpa’s ring inspires me to look for the beauty and the good in life. It helps me to keep in mind the man I want to be and to value the gift of life God gives with each passing breath. 

     I wear Grandpa’s ring every day. Every day it helps me to look back on how he lived. He was a one of a kind man. There was no other Grandpa like him in the world. I thank God for the gift of his love and presence in my life.