At 81, my grandpa is getting married. His wife, my grandma died about three years ago and although he hasn't been on the prowl for a new wife he's apparently found one.

My grandma and grandpa eloped over sixty years ago. He was a young handsome boxer in the US army and she was a 17 year-old beauty. Knowing that her parents would never agree to their marriage, they skipped town to tie the knot. No one has ever told me what happened when they came back. Were her parents furious? Like any good parents they probably were.

After he left the army they settled down in the town of Coeur'd Alene, Idaho for a rather predictable life. They had both been raised in the town and their parents, brothers and sisters had never traveled very far. He was a carpenter and she raised their four children, one of whom happened to be my mom.

I guess the story carries on from there in the usual way. The kids grew up, went to college, he retired and she went to work at the church. Their relationship with each other might also be usual. By the time they were in their seventies, when I knew them, they were constantly at each other. They interrupted each other, they got mad at each other, they ignored each other. I can still hear my grandma saying, "Shut up Bob" and I can still see my grandpa getting all worked up over something silly she said.

But that was just how they were. I always assumed they loved each other although, honestly, I can hardly remember them showing any outwardly affection toward each other. Still, I can only presume that the power of love was what enable them to put up with each other for so many years.

One day this past year my grandpa met June. From all the stories I've heard about her she's either a nice lady who's a little controlling and slightly secretive or she's the wicked witch of the west. The rumors flying around my extended family are improbable with a rare few of them being true.

What's gotten everyone so mad is that she is supposedly after my grandpa's money. I wouldn't believe a word of it except that she has talked my grandpa out of a prenuptial agreement that would, upon his demise, keep her out of the money that would be inherited by his children. Now it's quite possible that when he dies, his children will not receive any money and everything would go to June who has a few children of her own.

It's quite easy to imagine why things are not going very well on that side of the family. To make matters more interesting, June has been married three times before. Two of her previous husbands died (one supposedly died of questionable causes) and she divorced the other--which was unknown until someone hired a private investigator to check her past.

My own little Jerry Springer extended family drama.

Actually, I feel sorry for all of them. From what I've heard about how my grandpa, June, aunts and uncles are conducting themselves I feel ashamed that they could be so selfish and petty. Money seems to bring out the deepest evil in us all. On the other hand, I really respect how my mom has been handling this. Where her brothers and sisters have thrown rocks, acted rashly and alienated my grandpa, my mom has responded sanely by trying to work things out as a responsible, loving human being.

I find that a little ironic, actually. Her siblings, who have great paying jobs (or spouses with good jobs) are all scrambling after the money wanting to make sure they get their fair share. My mom, married to a missionary, has spent her whole married life trusting that God will provide enough for the family. For all accounts, she has reason to frantically scramble after money. Yet, it's my mom who refuses to let the panic of possible stolen money consume her. Of course it bothers her that June may be in it for the money, who wouldn't be? But my mom can find enough depth and empathy within herself to be genuinely happy that my grandpa has rediscovered a reason to live at age 81.

Good for you mom! I'm proud of you. I hope one day, if I find myself in a similar situation, I will be able to look beyond the injustice and the loss of wealth and keep my focus on what truly matters; how I live my life before God who takes into account my every action.