What I Learned From Grandparents

Pancakes and sausage is always a good breakfast. Maybe not the healthiest but man do they taste good. The annual Kiwanis Club all you can eat pancake breakfast is a huge fundraiser every year but that is not what this is about. It is about my wife’s grandfather and his love of service. You see, he recently passed away but when I walked in to eat, the first thing I thought about was how much he loved this day. He was service personified. He maintained perfect attendance for 50 plus years and he lived to help. He gave his time, which was invaluable, and his money but it was the direct contact that made him so special. He would be proud to see his legacy continue. His wife, daughter, son-in-law, and great granddaughter were there serving in multiple capacities. It was a good time and a good memory.

There are other times I think of those we have lost as well. My Memaw passed away a few years ago, but she pops up many times. When she was mobile she was everywhere. If there was an event for her grandchildren or great grandchildren she attended. She continually complained about being cold or where she had to park but she was there. She would get her walker, her sweater, and her iced tea and off she would go. From dance halls, to soccer fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, horse arenas, race tracks, and the random family event. She loved supporting her family and if she didn’t like something that you were doing she would tell you. I still carry a letter that she wrote me when I was 23. I had made a few decisions that she felt were not conducive to my future and she let me know to stop wasting what God had given me. She was a pain in the butt but she loved us and there are moments when I am by myself that I miss her immensely.

Lastly, I think about my granddaddy from time to time. He was a racer, master mechanic, business owner, and a hard ass. He loved his family but the demons were too strong. His knowledge of building and being a mechanic were huge in my eyes. I wanted him to share that vast data base but he never did. He built race cars, constructed commercial buildings, and his own house boat. I remember seeing it beside the old shop and then fishing on it where it was in port. There was a long time in my life that he was bigger than life. He taught me many lessons. The exciting part is that all the lessons were important. Some were lessons that I would like to follow and others were lessons that I would like to make sure I never repeat.

We know that we cannot keep family with us forever but we can keep the memories. There are many that pop up during my weeks and I keep the love they shared close. I loved them when they were around and am glad that they taught even if they didn’t mean to do it.