Tomorrow is my grandpa's birthday. If you couldn't tell by the blog title, he is turning 67. He's lived a pretty full life, and yet he is still adding to his story even at this ripe old age. He joined the military the day after he graduated high school, met my grandma when he was 18, and had his first kid when he was 20. He was in the military for 20 years and served in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. He also was involved in manufacturing in Michigan. Recently, he's been consulting in Kansas, Kazakhstan, and Australia (of all places) whilst retaining his vigor and drive. He also quit smoking cold turkey in the late '80's and is a man of intense faith. I think my grandpa is someone I should aspire to be like.
So where will I be when I'm his age? Well, I guess the first thing I'm wondering is where did he see himself 44 years ago? When he was my age, he had two kids, a wife at home, and a career in the Army. I'm a teacher, a college graduate, and a wayfaring soul. Perhaps we don't have anything in common beyond those genes. But it's still something to inquire about: Where will I be at 67?
Will I have children and grandchildren? Will I be married? Will I still be working? Will I have achieved my 23 year old goals? Will I have settled? Where do I live? What will I want in my next 10 years? Have I been impactful? Have I been remembered? Do I serve a purpose? Do I stay true to my beliefs? Am I trustworhty and loyal and friendly? Do I smack waitresses on the behind and call them "toots?" Am I an example? Do I have faith in the world? Am I the difference?
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