AN EVENING WITH BILL GRIMBOLD

An evening with Bill Grimbold is always special, several people told me. I will confirm that they were correct. If you remember Gene Shepherd or listen to Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion you know the impromptu, folksy raconteur's style. Reverend Grimbold, pastor Presbyterian Church of the Shelter Island, is a frequent guest speaker at All Souls. Although his manner is casual, his stories are more than entertainment. They are designed to make a point.

In the past his stories generally centered around invented characters in a made-up island village which he used to make moral and ethical points about human behavior. But on the evening of May 16, Bill talked about his grandfather who was a strong influence on him even though his grandparent died when Bill was very young. Although he briefly mentioned his mother and grandmother, the special, non-judgmental relationship he had with the family patriarch, a modest hard-working man, remains with him. Bill learned about baseball and other matters of importance for a six-year-old boy. Mainly though, his grandfather told him family stories and incidents time and time again. This created what is sometimes referred to as the family mythology or family romance. By re-telling stories often, even touches of embellishment may become fact and depending on the content, is a way to reinforce family values and instill confidence. A beloved grandparent, aunt or uncle, or other close relative can have a great influence on and help mold a young child's character.

A lively discussion followed Bill Grimbold's presentation. Approximately 50 people attended including Bill's good friends Carolyn and Forrest Church. The talk was preceded by a wonderful potluck dinner—from hors d'œuvres to coq au vin.