Musicmystery
Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005 Status: offline
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Paternal grandfather. On an 8th grade education, but farming for a lifetime will teach you a few things. And I noticed when we would go to town that EVERYBODY knew him and liked him. A quiet man, listened before he spoke, and then spoke little. Calm and confident, without a hint of arrogance. He knew how to live. A few of the many that stick out: "If you don't see the sun rise, you miss half your life." "The only people who aren't criticized are those who don't do anything." "You can't do everything by yourself." When he was dying (at 84--lung problems), my Dad called me to ask me to go out and visit him (4.5 hour drive one way). "Sure," I said. I loved visiting. "Why?" "Because he won't take his medicine, and you're the only one he listens to," my Dad replied. I thought to myself "That's because I don't make a habit of going to his house and telling him what to do!" but said nothing. I felt a loss when the farm was sold after his death (five years later). It's part of why owning my own land was and is so important to me. My life today is very different from his, but he's a huge part of who I have become. His example is one of my guiding principles. Rest in peace, Grandpa. Live well all.
< Message edited by Musicmystery -- 8/20/2009 2:38:30 PM >
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