Make a Difference

Recently I learned some interesting and wonderful things about my great grandpa Badgerow. He was orphaned the day before his 11th birthday, raised by his sisters, finished the 8th grade and became a small business man - had a grocery store/gas station in Sparta, MI. When the banks were seized by the state of Michigan and ended up taking half of depositor's money in the 1930's, he could have lost heart and quit in despair, but he didn't. He extended credit to families and let them get food from his store when they didn't have the money to pay for the food.

Years later when he died (at 96 years old) a man came to his funeral and said my great grandpa saved his family's lives by giving them food when they needed it. I am proud Charles Wesley Badgerow was my great-grandpa. He set an example of compassion, courage, and generosity which I want to, and will, follow. (Photo is of him, my great grandma, grandma, and great uncle Ray.)

My great grandpa made a difference in the time in which he lived. He stood up for what was right - helping those in need - and I am able to do the same. I can stand for what is right in my time - like standing up for Bishop Budde for asking the current president to show mercy to the vulnerable - certainly something Jesus did. When I see a need, I am able to make a difference. I am able to model this for my children and grandchildren. What my great-grandpa did mattered, then and now, and what we do matters now and for future generations as well!

(My sister Loretta Baughan researched our grandparents/great grandparents and wrote about them in her book Clarence & Faye.)