Her name was Myrtle.

She was my grandmother. She helped raise me. She told me stories about God, love, how to deal with girls. I should have listened on that one. She told me about her parents, who were slaves in the South. The one thing I will always remember her telling me is, “Do the right thing, boy.”

Grandma, I want to tell you what I’m doing to help people like you. The city that I live in is called Federal Way. They hire these people called liaisons. These are the people that help you deal with city government. They hired one for the Koreans and one for the Hispanics. I asked them to hire a liaison for grandmas and grandpas, but they said no. The reason they said no is because you speak English. The two groups that have liaisons have them because English is their second language, and they need to be helped because of that.

I realize you are part of what is called The Greatest Generation. Your generation saved this country from Communism and the Nazis. What is really sad is that we live in a society that doesn’t value people like you — older people. They put people like you in rest homes and say “Thanks for the memories.” This society has forgotten the importance of seniors like yourself, who bring wisdom, knowledge and a sense of history that enriches us all. It seems like what society values is young people, sex and girls who weigh 90 pounds. They tell you, “Don’t talk about God” because he is so yesterday. They say “If it feels good, do it.” The end result is that you have young people who are lost in a world with few rules. What is ironic is that both cultures that have city liaisons value old people. They have a strong sense of family and a sense of community. In both communities, they teach their children a belief in the divine. In the latest magazine, the headlines were that this country was beginning to have more non-believers and that God is on the decline. But they have always said that. I remember you saying, “Don’t pay them no attention. God is always going to be here. Just ask.”

I’m going to continue to advocate that the city hire a liaison to help people like you who have given so much to this country. I do not know if I will win this battle. But I promise you I will do the best I can. Grandma, how I wish you were here so I could run into your arms when the storms of life seemed too big. I remember you always telling me “God will show you a way.” I have always believed what you said, even in the times that I did not feel like it.

Myrtle, I have to go because these tear ducts are now on overdrive. One more thing: When you see God, could you please ask him to send some miracles this way? His kids need some. No excuses.