He Makes the Most of Living Close

Ken Gregor says his grandchildren’s unique personalities require unique interactions. That’s why he talks with ten-year-old Ashden by phone most mornings and why Jasce, 2, gets cuddled.

“I’m a big gardener, and Ashden has been out in the garden with me since he was two years old,” Ken said proudly. “The first time he went out there, he grabbed a hot pepper and ate it, and his grandma and I were thinking, 'Oh No!' and then he took another bite,” he said with a laugh. Grandpa bonds with Jasce by laying side by side on the living room floor or sitting at the coffee table. “He has a little, baby-sized couch, and we both can sit on that, too. He sits on my lap and brings me a book, and we'll sit there and read,” Ken said. “He also likes playing with his trucks.”

Ken Greggor said he’s grateful to live so close to his grandchildren. “I feel blessed to be so close to my grandchildren. My children grew up a thousand miles away from their grandparents,and so I feel quite lucky to see them daily,” he said, noting he and grandma can walk or bike to their house easily. Ashden’s bus stop is right at my mailbox,” he added, “so he often calls me in the morning while waiting for the bus on his little wrist phone.”
Ken Greggor says quality time with grandchildren is precious and something the children will treasure when they’re older and reminisce about time spent with their grandparents.

“Grandchildren are just amazing; they’re way better than (your own) children,” he said wryly. “Some days, as a young parent, you want to send your children somewhere else, but you can't; now grandchildren, you can, he added with a chuckle, noting that sometimes that’s sometimes necessary.

Asked what advice he’d offer fathers, Ken Greggor said this: “Love your children; they grow up far too fast and it’ll be gone in a flash. Teach them what you can.”