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Release Date of April 22, 2025
A collection of letters of wisdom to the author’s ten grandchildren providing teen advice as they navigate the difficult growing up years. These letters are based upon biographical stories and experiences from the author’s life, which he then weaves into important life lessons exhibiting Christian values and Biblical truths.
In generations past, it was not unusual to have several generations living under the same roof where it was easy for grandparents to help pass on their Christian values and beliefs to the next generation. Today, grandparents find themselves separated from their grandchildren not only by distance, but by those same beliefs and values past generations so easily conveyed to the future. As a result, without a firm foundation provided by loving elders, many young people today find themselves struggling to know exactly what they do believe. Not knowing what they stand for, they will fall for anything. Unfortunately, it is usually not Biblical truth, but is the world’s distorted version of truth.
Join this grandfather as he shares his method of providing Christian grandparenting from a distance.
Reviews of "Love Papa"
“Reading these letters was like sitting on the bank of a pond, listening to a private conversation between a grandchild and his grandfather while fishing together." Dr. Jay Flinn, PhD, Executive Director of Total Health
“This book is a treasure for grandparents. It is beautifully written, thoughtfully organized, and filled with wisdom our grandchildren need. Whether you live far away and need inspiration for your own letters, or live close by and need a book to read together to open up discussions, I don't know of a better resource.” Dr. Jay Martin, MD, Founder of Total Health
"For about a decade, I had the pleasure of knowing and learning from Gary and his wife Robin. Although I was the pastor of the church they chose to attend and was younger than they were, they still joined in and both served and came with a desire to grow in their faith. Since their children were older than ours, more than once my wife and I would invite them for a meal, put on a movie for our four kids and then ask question after question about what’s the wisest thing to do in parenting through a particular situation. They were wise to not get too specific with kids they didn’t know well, but they shared principles they had gleaned from the Bible that guided their parenting decisions. What a gift those visits were. And now to read many of those lessons again in “Love, Papa,” I find myself smiling, as far more than their grandchildren will be blessed to learn from the wisdom in these letters." Pastor Terry and Kelly Lewis - Grace Point Community Church, Lewis Center, Ohio
A Few Highlights for Us
Chapter #55 - Who Will You Be?
“By the time you are twenty your character becomes more difficult to change. You are at a crossroads; will you become a man or woman of integrity, or a person of disrepute? A person of good character, or bad character?”
Chapter #54 - A Christmas Dream
Gary shares a dream of the whole multi generational family being together, laughing, playing and enjoying their time together. When he woke up, he was sad that it was only a dream, but then realized he had a lot of work to do, to make sure that dream would be true in heaven.
Chapter #49 - The Older I Get, The Dumber I Feel
Gary talks of being a life-long learner and the importance of that habit starting when you're young. I had the gift of knowing Gary and his wife Robin as their pastor for close to a decade. Gary was older and wiser than myself, but he always wanted to learn, even from someone younger than himself. It was humbling, but it made me want to be a life-long learner myself.
Chapter #45 - Finishing Strong
Gary uses a story of his son’s high school athletic career to teach a lesson on finishing well. When there was nothing left to prove and the college acceptance and the scholarships with it already decided, his son still wanted to finish well and reach his best times in track. Gary then reminds us that nothing is more important than finishing strong in our faith. As I read this, I reflect on my upcoming retirement in 5 months after 45 years in pastoral ministry. I want to finish strong.
Chapter #40 - The Unseen World
I’ve always loved space travel and science fiction and wonder what it would be like to go there. In this letter Gary writes to his grandchildren about what is really out there - including the invisible heaven where God and believers dwell. My favorite line is his his last line; “The next time someone tells you that you don’t live in the real world, tell them, ‘You’re right, I am only visiting this planet.’”
Chapter #38 - Wood, Hay and Stubble
This letter contained a story that happened when I knew Gary. I saw this tragic event happen on TV and when I called Gary, he told me the same thing he wrote in this letter. What a hard way to learn a very powerful truth.
Chapter #27 - You Just Don’t Understand Me
In raising children, we have all heard them shut down from listening to our advice about life. The principle Gary shares with his grandchildren in this letter is clear: "The degree to which you listen to your parents and heed their advice, is the measure of the level of adulthood you have attained." A lesson for us all.
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