I can't tell you how many times I have said that I really don't care about living past 75 or so. And I base it on what I have seen in my life. My dad passed at 75, but before he did, he had years of poor health. And quite frankly, it did not seem like a good time for him.

He was miserable during those last years.

And I've seen other friends and relatives just fall apart when the hit 65 and older. I would silently take note of all of them. But like anything else in this world, there's that 10% that go against the grain of what is normal.

Frank Grondin (father of Kevin Grondin) is one of them.

We all know how Kevin seems to never age, especially out in the water. He is in his early 60's and can still surf as good as most of the surfers half his age and younger. Well, it's no surprise where he gets his youthful energy.



His dad turned 95 on December 7th, 2017 and he looks and acts like he's half his age. Whatever fountain the Grondins have been drinking out of we should all be filling our buckets with that magic juice.

Perhaps they have discovered Ponce De Leon's fountain of youth!



I stopped by his home on his birthday, December 7th, 2017. You all know what that date is I'm assuming, but if you don't I'll remind you dumb asses. December 7th, 1941 is when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and within 24 hours of that horrible day, the United States of America was at war.

Like what 90% of the country did in those first few days, Frank Grondin joined the ARMY. Frank was only 19yrs old on Pearl Harbor day. He was going in no matter what.



And honestly? There were so many young men across this nation that heard that calling. My dad and all my uncles went in. Frank ended up going to Europe to fight the Nazis. And fight them he did.

Frank was severely wounded in combat in his last fight with the Nazis.

He lost a couple of fingers and was hit with shrapnel along side his left leg. But there was a silver lining in this part of his story. What is it you ask? Frank met his future bride to be shortly after he was wounded. Virginia. Or as we all called her "Ginny".



They were married 63 years. Can you imagine that? Wow.

Talk about having great role models. Ginny and Frank had four children. Allen, Marylyn, Kevin and CareyLyn. They lived a wonderful life up until tragedy struck. Ginny passed away. The love of his life was gone. But Frank perceived and eventually accepted her passing. His deep faith in the Lord has gotten him through so much and now it was going to get him through this.




But the pain and suffering of his loss would be followed by losing both his youngest daughter Carylyn, and his oldest son Allen. Surely any one of us would have not been able to function and continue on. But you don't know Frank, and you don't know his love for Jesus and his strong faith in his Catholic upbringing.

If the lord has taken his wife and two children, he was not going to question it. His faith and his love for the surviving members of his family needed his presence. So Frank pushed on. It's what he does. There's no quit in this man.

And so here he is 95 years old and as sharp as a tack.



I took this photo on his birthday this week. His son Kevin and his daughter-in-law Kim flanking the man of the hour. I don't think I've met a more humbling man than Frank. He truly is amazing. And when I left him that day, I had a change of heart. Frank at 95 is still doing things he loves to do. So I asked myself "Why can't you?" Surely I could still take photos and video. And I could get up on a longboard, on some soft summer swell. And I could even follow a young pup into the woods. But mostly, I could still be around to enjoy the love of my life, and the love and joy of our children, and grandchildren.

So thank you Frank for teaching me about life. With much Love and respect.

"Living a Long Life Heals All Wounds"

This week's Ed's corner pic is from December 10th, 2013. That's four years from tomorrow. The surfer is Julie Jakoboski, one of the women in my new movie GRANITE GIRLS and The River Women. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some International News
Just watched more of the absolute heartache in California. Those wildfires are just so devastating. Truly heartbreaking. Say a prayer for those people. And yes I am including the stars of Bel Air. They all need our thoughts and prayers.



These tall palm trees should not be burning. This is so sad.



And so is this. Palestinians against the Jews. What else is new? The reason? Jerusalem has been declared the NEW capital of Israel. To be fair to President TRUMP, every president from the last few Obama, Bush, and Clinton have ALL promised to name Jerusalem the capital. I guess I was not paying attention back then. But it turns out to be true. Oy ve!



Uh oh, I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Gee Al, I don't know what to say. But he does. He's stepping down from his job as Senator. I mean, good lord Al...WTF are you thinking?


KSM Photoshop of the Week
The fact that our boy KSM has once again shown up at the most opportune times to have his photo taken with these high profile celebrities is mind boggling. How does he pull this off week after week? And look, he's holding hands with Franken!



So my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths
of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of "Senators For Dummies" books at Home Depot this week.


Click on this to see a larger version

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Sister DONNA December 13th, 2017

I'm hoping for a Christmas miracle on this movie..



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Sending positive thoughts and prayers to Jo Ellen Bunton in Idaho. GET BETTER and GET STRONGER with each day JE! You look great and it sounds like you have not missed a beat when it comes to preparing a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner! Oh I can just smell the turkey from here. Our love and respect to you.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

(Above) Tom Hay different wave. Different cutback. December 6th, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Meanwhile back at the Wall. December 6th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The Viking strikes a cutback. Lars Jacobsen. December 6th, 2017 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This was actually the first photo i took that day. December 6th, 2017 Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Day Frank Turned 95! December 7th, 2017
Photos by RALPH



(Above) We should all look and feel this good at 95. December 7th. 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) This was the only pic I got of these two. Pev and Kyle were leaving just as I pulled up. December 7th. 2017 Photo by RALPH

*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

The SOU'EASTER October 30th, 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

GRANITE GIRLS Trailer II 10-19-17 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

JOSE September 20th to September 24th, 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.