Grandpa Meinerding used to talk about being sent by his parents to St. Meinrad Archabbey seminary to become a priest. According to his stories, he entered at age 14, but I do not know how long he stayed. At any rate, he left not only St. Meinrad, but also the church. He married and raised a family in Poseyville, Indiana.
A couple of days ago, we decided to drive by St. Meinrad while on our way to French Lick. Located in southern Indiana since the 1850s, the grounds of St. Meinrad are beautiful. For some reason, though, it was hard to visualize Grandpa Meinerding in these surroundings. It is much easier to picture him sitting on the side porch, waving at people walking to the post office across the street or sitting in his favorite chair in the living room watching television.
I'm not related to Grandpa Meinerding by blood, but by love and I did love him as much as my own grandfather. He was often grumpy, but he loved his family fiercely and spoiled his grandchildren every chance he had. He loved to tell stories of their childhood antics.
I think he was pleased when we borrowed his first name to give our son as a middle name. Grandpa's full name was Edwin Aloyisous Meinderding. When our son was little, we told him he had been named after Grandpa Meinderding and his full name was Timothy Edwin Aloyisous Meinderding Jerome. So, whenever anyone asked his name, that's what he told them. I think he was a little disappointed to learn his name wasn't nearly as long or as impressive sounding as we had said.
It's hard to believe Grandpa Meinerding has been gone 40 years. I hope we continue to keep his memory alive for many more years. Sometime I will tell you about Grandma Meinerding, who "sat upon her dignity."
