That is a beautiful story!I have been smoking a pipe for nearly 70 years. My Grandfather started me out when he made me my first pipe. I had a hard time keeping it going because I wasn't allowed to have matches and he got tired of me asking him for a light! I think I was about 5 at the time. I am 75 now, and a pipe has pretty much always been in my pocket. When going to school, I kept my pipe at home and would enjoy it when I got home while doing my homework. My fondest memories of my childhood was sitting with my grandfather smoking our pipes watching the sunset after a full day on the ranch not saying a word just watching the glow of the sun setting. Times were better then.
I started dabbling with pipes when I was in my mid to late twenties. Now in my 30s I've really started to become a pipe smoker. I don't think I'll ever hit the 70 year mark for pipe smoking experience!