Tom, I had an interesting conversation with my dad last week about my nieces and nephews.
Would you say as a Grandad that your grandkids make you feel older or younger?
They make me feel old, and they make me feel young. They make me feel a lot of other things too.
I show them things, and I tell them things. I try to teach them about their heritage and their culture. I try to teach them to appreciate life and the world around them. They listen to me with wide eyes, and I feel important and useful.
I tell them to do something, or to stop doing something, and they say "Yes Grandad" and I feel respected.
I take them for a walk, and we paddle in a brook, or make pea shooters, it will be their first time. I see it through their eyes, and I feel young again.
I remember that I've already done all this stuff with their parents when they were children, and I feel old.
I look at one more generation of Gypsies, still living the old way, learning the old values, and I feel proud.
I look to the future, and I realise that they, like everyone else, will have to face heartache and sorrow, and I feel scared.
I look at my grandson Tom, striding out with his dog and his catapult, and I feel like it was all worthwhile.
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