What would my Grandpa do?

Faced with making a hard decision in the middle of last year I found myself foolishly floundering, looking for a tolerable 3rd option that I knew instinctively was not available. The hoped for 3rd option was to be a softer one, a lesser one, one that avoided responsibility and accountability and I could not find it. I was lost and uncertain. In the end it was my Grandpa’s wise words that came in loud and clear-although he has been gone since I was 25 there was no mistaking his guidance. The answer was to embrace the hardest of the choices, because it was the right one.

Fast forward to early February when I was gathered with friends and a guest asked my friend about an insurance policy on a specific collection. My friend answered gently with, “I choose not to keep things I cannot replace only to rely on something unreliable.” I was immediately reminded of my Grandfather and his ability to care for and repair the items in his home, he could bake bread, he learned the basics of masonry and built a garage, he grew roses and I bet he too chose not to have anything he couldn't afford to replace. 

I find myself consulting my Grandfather more and more these days, my parent’s ways remain only one generation removed and I still find myself rebelling against and questioning their ideologies in some instances. My Grandparents however are just far enough removed and I am just old enough to see that they were wise people with wise souls who knew how to live an autonomous life and they are available for lessons and inspiration when I look to their examples for guidance. 

When I struggle to find my way I think I’m going to keep asking myself “What would my Grandpa do?”. I like the courage and brevity in the answers I find.

Kathleen