1 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: Hello, friends, Welcome to Story Behind podcast. This is the 2 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: show for people who love hearing a good story and 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: who believe the world could use more positivity. We're the 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: team behind God Updates in God Too, and we hope 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: these weekly short stories will brighten your day. 6 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 2: At one hundred, Wisconsin Navy veteran founded a church and 7 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 2: still serves as a crossing guard. Written by Julie Provost, 8 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:37,840 Speaker 2: read by Juli Provost. Julius Campbell recently celebrated his hundredth birthday, 9 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 2: but he remains strong and has accomplished a great deal 10 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 2: in his long life, from serving in the Navy to 11 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 2: founding his own church, and he isn't anywhere near done 12 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,240 Speaker 2: after serving its community. He's a great inspiration to us all. 13 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 2: The one hundred year old lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 14 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:52,240 Speaker 2: has worked as a crossing guard for over thirty years, 15 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 2: which means he began his career helping children across the 16 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 2: street at the age of sixty nine. However, before that, 17 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 2: he was a third grade teacher. He also served in 18 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 2: the Navy, founded a church back in nineteen fifty eight, 19 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 2: and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in theology as 20 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 2: well as a doctorate and counseling. He also has received 21 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 2: many awards over the years, including one back in February, 22 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,160 Speaker 2: when the Mayor of Milwaukee proclaimed February twenty second as 23 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 2: Julius Campbell Day. Julius Earl Campbell has dedicated thirty years 24 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 2: to keeping Milwaukee's children safe as a school crossing guard, 25 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 2: and his service goes beyond that of a World War 26 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 2: Two Navy veteran. At one hundred years old, he continues 27 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 2: to inspire with his unwavering commitment to our community. His 28 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 2: legacy of service, leadership, and kindness will never be forgotten. 29 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 2: The caption reads. He also received the Milwaukee Police Department's 30 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:39,039 Speaker 2: merit award, called the Chief's Superior Leadership Award for his 31 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 2: service in the Community Service Division. What does Julius have 32 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 2: to say about all this? I'm thankful for getting my 33 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 2: flowers while I'm alive, he said, And if all that 34 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 2: wasn't enough. On December sixth, his loved ones and special 35 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 2: guests celebrated his special birthday, including public tributes from people 36 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 2: he had touched over the years. At one hundred, one 37 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 2: might think it would be trying to sit back and 38 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: enjoy retirement. However, Julius isn't interested in that. I don't 39 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 2: want to miss that love and connection to this wonderful community, 40 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 2: he shares. Beyond being a crossing guard, Julius also gives 41 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 2: back by consulting and ministering to others. I like to 42 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 2: work with the young people that need guidance, he shares. 43 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 2: I have families in need with books, clothing, and food programs. 44 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 2: Serving God in the community is my hobby. As for 45 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 2: the future, he aims to maintain his health both mentally 46 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 2: and physically, and continue to serve as community. When asked 47 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 2: what his secret was to making this far, he said, 48 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:31,239 Speaker 2: I made a promise that I'm going to keep it 49 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 2: until the end, if it's possible, if it's God's will. 50 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 2: He then goes on to say the promise is I 51 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 2: would do whatever he desires and whatever he wants me to. 52 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 2: And what a fantastic way to live your life doing 53 00:02:42,919 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 2: God's will in any way you can. What a legacy 54 00:02:45,320 --> 00:03:00,359 Speaker 2: Julius is leaving the world. Texas City offers something special 55 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 2: and heartwarming with their Grandma Stand written by Heavy Riggleman 56 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 2: read by Julie Provost. You won't believe how this Texas 57 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,959 Speaker 2: City offers something special in heartwarming with their Grandma's stand. 58 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 2: I think every city needs to take note. In the 59 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:14,839 Speaker 2: hotsle and bustle of this loud, fast world, grandma's often 60 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 2: get quietly left behind. We rush past wisdom because we're late. 61 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 2: We scroll instead of sit. We move so quickly that 62 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 2: we forget that there is a steady, sacred thread of 63 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 2: wisdom woven through our lives, one that doesn't demand attention, 64 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 2: but waits patiently to be noticed. That threat is a grandma. 65 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 2: This haughty season in McKinney, Texas, something tender is unfolding. 66 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 2: In the middle of downtown. Between twinkling lights and bundled shoppers, 67 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 2: sits the Grandma Stand, simple booth offering comfort, connection and 68 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 2: free advice. On a chilly Saturday, Grandma Nancy greets visitors 69 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 2: with a smile and words that feel like a benediction. 70 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 2: We all needed Grandma, and Grandma's need you. Nancy has 71 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 2: four grandchildren of her own and says that she is 72 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 2: volunteered for the role by her daughter, but she's grateful. 73 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 2: She said, yes, I absolutely love it. Nancy shared grandma's 74 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 2: are non judgmental and loving people. Sometimes it's nice to 75 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:05,800 Speaker 2: talk to someone who's basically a stranger, but you still 76 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 2: feel connection with the idea originated in twenty twelve in 77 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 2: New York City when Mike Matthew set up a booth 78 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 2: inspired by his ninety five year old grandmother, Eileen, featuring 79 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 2: a sign that read talked to my ninety five year 80 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,360 Speaker 2: old grandmother. Elien lived to be one hundred and two, 81 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 2: and though she passed away in twenty eighteen, her spirit 82 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:25,160 Speaker 2: remains at the heart of the project. This is exactly 83 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 2: what my grandmother envisioned, all these Grandma's being seen and heard, 84 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:32,839 Speaker 2: Mike said. Today, Grandma Stands exist in cities across the country, 85 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 2: including McKinney with Clan Saxpn even further, No matter the location, 86 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: the needs remain, the saying people yearn to be heard. 87 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 2: Mike said. Many visitors share that they grew up without 88 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 2: a grandmother or lost one too early. I hear a 89 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 2: lot of that, he said. I hope this is a 90 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 2: callous for you to start building that relationship with whoever 91 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 2: that is. Nancy hears everything from heartbreak to small joys. 92 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 2: That her advice is always simple. If there's a choice 93 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 2: between being kind and being unkind, choose kindness and choose love. 94 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 2: And choose patience. Maybe that's why we need more Grandmas 95 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 2: these days, not to fix everything, but to remind us 96 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 2: that we're not alone. Jug Tall twelve is not wisdom 97 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 2: found among the aged, does not long life bring understanding. 98 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for listening to Story Behind podcast. 99 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: We're really glad you joined us for this week's story. 100 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: To see photos and videos that may have been referenced 101 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 1: in this episode, check out the links and the show notes, 102 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: And if you enjoyed what you heard today, subscribe to 103 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,800 Speaker 1: our podcast and please tell a friend about us. We'd 104 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 1: also love it if you'd rate us and leave us 105 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: a review. 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