- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- grandparents today articles
- grandparents today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
One Man's Story
The Life and Times of 93-year-old Bill McCall By Heather V. Long
Following the war, McCall went home to Oklahoma and began a two-and-a-half-year courtship with Eunice Moore, culminating in a marriage in 1947. He worked for Contadina Foods for the next 20 years and raised two children, Linda Carol and Gary Lee.
"Before he was married, Daddy's hobby was really traveling," says Linda. "But after, he liked to dance, grow gardens, do carpentry, electrical and plumbing work." Linda's two children, Scott Joseph and Chandra Beth, grew up with their grandfather in close attendance.
"My grandfather is a Renaissance man, he can do anything and everything," says granddaughter, Chandra Long, 22, of Garland, Texas. "He is stubborn, but that runs in the family."
"He's probably the male center of my world," says grandson, Scott Long, 31, of Leesburg, Va. "He's old, but he's always been strong. When I think of him, I think of him being a mechanic, how much I love him, how strong he is and how much I hope he just lives forever."
Family Life"I remember on Christmas mornings, he would sit in his big chair and watch us open presents," says Scott. "He would get me up and drive me to school all the time and listen to me babble, and after school he always got me a burger and a soda. He got me dogs and took care of them when I didn't."
For Linda, having a strong and supportive father meant "if he told you it was going to be OK, it was."
"Every time I've been hurt or physically scared in my life, he's been there to support me," says Scott. "I cut my toes severely when I was 12, and I wanted him to be there, just because he was him."
"I remember going to the hospital when the grinding wheel shattered and cut the artery in his arm," says Chandra. "There was blood all over the floor. It scared me because I was little and didn't understand what was going on. I didn't know what to think, but he told me everything was going to be OK, and I believed him. He was right. Everything turned out fine, and he came home like he said he would."