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Remember my often-grumpy step-father-in-love Bob \u2013 the one I call Eeyore? Well, things got worse. But hang on for the ride.<\/p>\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-6px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0vw||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1450px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f9f6f5″ background_image=”https:\/\/stillandmovingcenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/trans-shiva.png” background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_right” custom_margin=”-43px||||false|false” custom_padding=”100px||0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” max_width=”1500px” custom_margin=”-80px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”2.4em” header_3_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”-14px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Remember my often-grumpy step-father-in-love Bob \u2013 the one I call Eeyore? Well, things got worse. But hang on for the ride.<\/p>\n
Not being able or allowed to drive can be a game-changer for many older folks. It\u2019s such a symbolic and actual impediment to independence. Especially for men of Bob\u2019s generation \u2013 he just turned 92 – it seems to deal a devastating blow to their sense of identity. Bob\u2019s not one to be thwarted by a wounded ego, however.<\/p>\n
All of us in the family had been fretting over Bob\u2019s safety on the road, yet unable to convince him to give up the keys after some vehement conversations. He remembers himself as an excellent driver with a clean record \u2013 which used to be true\u2026. However, after a number of close-calls and fender-benders in the years surrounding the death of his dear wife Sue, the State of California finally saw fit to take Bob\u2019s license. Dismaying as that may have been for Bob, the rest of us heaved huge sighs of relief.<\/p>\n
Our son Shankar solicitously made arrangements with a local Lift driver to regularly take his grandpa wherever he needed to go. Yes! Great solution!<\/p>\n
THAT didn\u2019t last long. The driver was \u201ctoo expensive\u201d, didn\u2019t have the \u201cright attitude\u201d, didn\u2019t come when Bob needed him, and so on.<\/p>\n
The next thing we knew, Bob was ![](\"https:\/\/gallery.mailchimp.com\/4d46db59debe462c1496e41ab\/images\/ef0088c8-b7bf-46f2-b1f6-c2b73f3a21b0.jpeg\")
driving himself again. Oh my gosh. It was so scary when he took himself up the coast on a three hour round-trip drive one day. Shankar even used his position as a firefighter to convince his fellow defenders of the public safety at the Sheriff\u2019s department to keep an eye open for his grandpa\u2019s car, giving them the license plate number and Bob\u2019s address at the retirement home. But no success catching this wily coyote!<\/p>\n
Eventually Bob collided with a parked car, and his own got towed away for good. None of us shed a tear, I assure you!<\/p>\n
No license? No car? No problem! \u00a0Bob got his lunch & beer buddy to help him buy a new minivan. You think I\u2019m kidding?! Nope. These two old schemers were like straight out of the movies. With cold cash in one guy\u2019s hand and a legit driver\u2019s license in the other guy\u2019s wallet to drive the van off the lot, the car dealership didn\u2019t give 3 figs that the buyer didn\u2019t possess a driver\u2019s license himself. And Bob was back on the streets again.<\/p>\n
Bob\u2019s been driving that van ever since, accumulating little dings and scrapes in the first few weeks. He basically only drives a couple miles a day, thank goodness.<\/p>\n
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However, something else really big changed in Bob\u2019s life: Shankar finally took his grandfather\u2019s sage advice and proposed to the love of his life, the darling DD. And I don\u2019t really know which of the three of them was more delighted with the engagement!<\/p>\n
Folks expect a radiant bride at a wedding. At Shankar and DD\u2019s ceremony, I heard that\u2026 AND how people couldn\u2019t remember ever seeing Grandpa Bob so happy. He just glowed as she was officially wedded into our family.<\/p>\n
Shankar and DD live in Bob\u2019s old house. Bob sleeps in his room in a retirement community nearby, then comes over to the house every morning after breakfast. I sometimes forget what a capable man Bob has been over his lifetime, as a scientist, inventor, boat owner, businessman and home builder. Shankar has never before held the responsibility of caring for a house and garden, and Grandpa Bob is right there at his side, directing Shankar\u2019s fledgling yard projects and repair jobs. Bob\u2019s kind of a walking, talking operating manual that comes with the house.<\/p>\n
And it just keeps getting better.<\/p>\n First it was the kids\u2019 two loveable puppies who were stretching Bob\u2019s heart while they chewed on his shoes. A few months ago, the stork delivered a mini DD to the household: baby Coral Rae. Bob was as proud as if he had just hatched an egg himself!<\/p>\n And guess what? Miracles do happen \u2013 sometimes unfortunately\u2026 Bob convinced the DMV to let him take the exam again. His nervous system must really have settled down: he passed the test and got back his driver\u2019s license. What\u2019s a family to do? Wrestle him to the ground to take the keys? Or pray that everyone\u2019s guardian angels are on active duty!<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re ever on the streets of Goleta, California, keep a sharp eye out for a blue Toyota Sienna minivan legally<\/em>\u00a0driven by a devoted great-grandfather, puttering over to see his kids\u2026.<\/p>\n Dancing in Joy and resting in stillness with you, .<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stillandmovingcenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/gpa-bob.png” title_text=”gpa bob” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ max_height_tablet=”400px” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”100px||-5vw||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||2vw|0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||2vw||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/stillandmovingcenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/yoga-instructor_96.jpg” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/stillandmovingcenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/lanikai_hoop-edit-scaled.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#24394a” background_image=”https:\/\/stillandmovingcenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/body_background.jpg” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”60px|60px|60px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|10vw|50px|10vw|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”30px||30px||true|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_text_color=”#9a5206″ header_2_font=”santana||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#9a5206″ header_2_font_size=”2vw” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”800px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”45px” header_2_font_size_phone=”35px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/still-moving-center\/id1424600988″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”APPLE APP STORE” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#fe9440″ button_border_color=”#fe9440″ button_border_radius=”24px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_duration=”1550ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.fitnessmobileapps.stillandmovingcenter” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”GOOGLE PLAY STORE” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#fe9440″ button_border_color=”#fe9440″ button_border_radius=”24px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_duration=”1550ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remember my often-grumpy step-father-in-love Bob \u2013 the one I call Eeyore? Well, things got worse. But hang on for the ride. Not being able or allowed to drive can be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":25705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[125,142],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-letter-from-the-director","category-life-at-the-center-letter-from-the-director"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![](\"https:\/\/gallery.mailchimp.com\/4d46db59debe462c1496e41ab\/images\/33b9fe2e-534a-411a-ae92-36707691fd80.png\")
Now, some brides might get a bit pushed out of shape with a crotchety old duffer coming through the garage door every morning. Not DD. She grew up with an unmarried aunty staying with their family, helping out with the kids. Ohana<\/em>\u00a0is normal for her, and DD loves Grandpa Bob. She thinks he\u2019s funny. For her, he\u2019s just\u00a0part of the whole family package. Her gentle twinkle puts Bob at ease, smoothing his rumpled, odd-duck feathers.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/gallery.mailchimp.com\/4d46db59debe462c1496e41ab\/images\/d5011630-dbae-426a-83e6-ef7085796ce4.png\")
Little Coral Rae and her Great-grandpa Bob are quite a number. He\u2019ll tickle her toes while she coos, and talk with her in her baby seat while she fusses until DD comes to feed her. Last time I asked Bob over the phone what he did that morning, he nonchalantly told me, \u201cOh, Shankar and I played with Coral.\u201d \u00a0Growing up as an only child himself, not getting married to Sue until he was 50, and never fathering his own children, Bob probably spent some lonely years. I think he\u2019s now, at age 92, finally living in the family he always wanted. It\u2019s wonderful.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/gallery.mailchimp.com\/4d46db59debe462c1496e41ab\/images\/8b06b09c-b176-49d6-a631-546440d48a3b.png\")
Ren\u00e9e Tillotson<\/p>\nGet the Still & Moving App<\/h2>\n