The Walnut

While I was finishing my studies at Abilene Christian University (ACU), I was able to do some work as a substitute teacher. I was able to step into all sorts of classes. I taught middle school math or science. I was able to teach English (which was my area of expertise). I even substituted in a school which was the last stop for kids who couldn’t seem to make it (because of their behavior) at any other school in the city. All of these opportunities confirmed that I wanted to be a teacher.

I graduated in December of 1988 and did a lot more substituting in the semester following. But in September 1989 I was able to start as a real English teacher at Abilene High School (AHS) downtown Abilene, Texas. I had 10th grade English groups and an 11th grade literature group. The 10th graders came into the class needing to learn the basics (past what they had already learned). This meant that I was also teaching some composition. 

For one section, I wanted to introduce poetry, explaining what it was and how it worked. We talked about the different sorts of meter, rhythm and rhyme. We looked at various examples, including some songs and rap (which was beginning to make its way in the music world - even in Abilene, Texas). To help my students practice writing their own poetry, I brought certain visual elements into class and explained how they could be used.

Whenever I gave my class a task, I took part in the task as well. That way they knew that I was not asking them something impossible or simply time-consuming and boring (although they may still have thought that). For this project I brought along a worn out sneaker, a stone, a walnut and a few other items. 

At the end of the class the students could share, if they desired, their poetry with the class. They were required to hand it in (so that I could see what they had done). They asked if I had done anything, which I had. I had written a poem based on the sneaker and a poem based on the walnut. 

The poem on the walnut turned into this song about a conversation between a grandpa and his grandson. A few weeks ago I played the song at Family Camp, billing the act for the talent night as “First time grandpa” singing “The Walnut”. We have become grandparents since the end of June this year, so I thought the song fit the event. 

Afterwards someone asked me when I had written the song, thinking that it was new. I looked up as I recalled the years and replied, “1990, I think.” The questioner was surprised. “What? But didn’t you just become a grandpa?” So this song has been waiting in the wings for some 30 years (Stephan was only just born when it was written) until the right moment. But the thoughts remain true, no matter when they are passed on. 

How do you think of your grandparents? What do you do with them? How are you as a grandparent? What do you enjoy doing with your grandkids?