Welcome to
Sacred Heart School of Theology's
English as a Second Language Program
The ESL Times / Spring, 2004
My Grandfather
By: Fr. Eugeniusz Kotlinski, CM
(Poland)
I was born in Poland in a little town called Damaslawek. There, I spent most of my life when I was a child. I had a lot of nice days in my childhood and I met many people and children, but I didn’t have too many real friends. I had two grandfathers: Vincent and Stefan, but grandfather Stefan died when I was one year old. I only remember Vincent. My grandfather Vincent was a very important person for me when I was a child. He was my grandfather and my friend. Of course I loved my parents, but Vincent was someone special for me.
Vincent was a very good man. I remember he was not a tall man. Vincent was a very friendly and cheerful person. His hair was black and short, and he had a little moustache under his nose. Everybody from my family loved him, and he loved all his family. I loved him with all my heart, so I strove to be polite, but I liked sometimes to do some bad things also as I was only a little boy. My grandfather wanted me to become a priest. Then, I didn’t like this idea. I spent a lot of time in my grandparents’ house. Their house was close to my home. ,I only had to go across a big, beautiful garden, and I was there. This garden was very important to me because there my friends and I played games. My grandfather didn’t like it when we were in this garden because it usually didn’t look good after our games. My grandfather loved this garden. . I tried to help him to take care of it. I always helped him when he needed it.
Vincent wanted to teach me very important things. He wanted me to love people and animals and everything that God created. He told me wonderful stories from the Bible and from his life. Because he was an old man, he had many rich experiences. Then, my grandfather Vincent was the smartest man in the world for me. I listened to him and tried to remember his advice. I was very sad when Vincent didn’t feel good. He had to go to bed sometimes because he had sick legs. Then, I often helped him in his bedroom. Vincent died when he was 95. He was buried in a cemetery in my hometown.
In my opinion love is very important in our lives. Love can make miracles and change our lives. But love is very difficult because it wants us to always be ready to sacrifice. My grandfather Vincent taught me a lot of beautiful things. He taught me to love people and nature too. Vincent also taught me to love my own life that I have been given from God. His dream about my priesthood became true. Today I am a priest, and I really enjoy my vocation. I know that it is the special grace from God, but I think also that my grandfather helped me to get this unusual gift. He prayed for me to God. My grandfather Vincent was a wonderful man. When I am in Poland, I always visit his grave. This grave is very important to me because it reminds me of a man who lived beautifully and well and who gave me a part of his heart.
Priests of the Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart School of Theology
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Hales Corners, WI 53130-0429
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