In a heartwarming tale, a 75-year-old grandparent, known for his cantankerous demeanor, recently delved into the world of Instagram to share his artistic creations with his three grandchildren, who reside in various countries. Initially resistant to the idea, Henry Park has found himself gaining popularity on Instagram with his account, Drawings For My Grandchildren.
Originally from South Korea, Henry now lives in Brazil. His life revolved around his grandchildren until his daughter relocated back to South Korea, leaving him feeling bored and isolated. Like many, he turned to television for entertainment, prompting concern from his family. They suggested that he start drawing again, with his wife posting the artwork on Instagram. “My dad was really against the idea of drawing again,” said his son, Alex, during a conversation with the press. “He couldn’t see why anyone would be interested in his work.”
Henry’s reluctance stemmed from his unfamiliarity with technology; he had never used email or social media. However, Alex, a designer at a tech company, persisted in guiding his parents through the Instagram setup over the phone. The plan was for Henry to create art, while his wife would handle the uploading.
The turning point came when Henry traveled to New York to meet his latest grandchild, baby Leo. During lunch, he expressed his sadness about not living long enough to see Leo grow up. Alex explained that sharing his artwork on Instagram would allow Henry to connect with his older grandchildren and give Leo a glimpse into his grandfather’s life.
And so, the learning began. Alex patiently taught Henry the ins and outs of Instagram, often facing frustrations. “I found myself getting annoyed at times, thinking, ‘How can he not understand this yet?’ I had to remind myself that he genuinely wanted to learn,” he shared. After a week of intense training sessions, Henry finally grasped the concept of hashtags, exclaiming, “Oh my god, that’s fun! There are amazing watercolor drawings!”
Not only has Henry become adept at Instagram, but he has also started using Facebook and an iPad gifted by his son. This artistic endeavor has strengthened family bonds and sparked daily conversations among them. Remarkably, Henry’s account has amassed over 142,000 followers, far exceeding just his grandchildren.
“This project has truly transformed my father’s life and ours,” Alex reported. “The most fulfilling part has been receiving countless messages from people inspired to reconnect with their own parents who used to create art or take photos, encouraging them to learn about Instagram.”
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In summary, what began as a reluctant venture into Instagram has turned into a fulfilling project for a grumpy grandpa, allowing him to share his creativity with his grandchildren and connect with a larger audience. His story serves as a reminder of the power of art in bridging generational gaps and fostering family relationships.