Best Advice Ever – for Grandpa C.R.

Grandpa McCurdy often tells the story of my first day of school – he remembers it like it was yesterday. Before I went to kindergarten Grandpa told me I would learn to read. When I came home to the family farm after the first day of school, he asked how it went. I looked up at him and said, “I didn’t learn to read.”

When he tells the story, he shakes his head slowly and his face crinkles up when he says, “Oh, I felt so bad about that.”

Grandpa is one who always chooses his words wisely; he communicates what he’s thinking quite clearly. He listens intently to what others have to say, he thinks for just a moment and then he says something wise, or hilarious – both intentional. When he raises his index finger and points to accompany what he’s saying, his speech slows just a bit to make sure the recipient is hearing him.

During a recent visit to the hospital Grandpa chatted with one of the nurses about vocation. In her bubbly tone she told about her different job experiences and her travels.

Grandpa looked up at her and raised his index finger and said, “Paul Harvey said if you find what you like to do, it’s like being on vacation.”

“Oh, yes, well I suppose that’s true,” she said as she fluttered about the room in her blue scrubs, thick glasses and wild hair.

Grandpa continued thoughtfully, “I’ve been on vacation all my life.”

Usually what he says gets me thinking. I thought, “I want that, I want to love my job.”

I had been working so hard that I didn’t think to stop and enjoy it. I thought about that while sitting in the corner of that hospital room and I smiled because I realized in that moment just how much I love my job of writing and catching stories. I guess I’m on “vacation” too.

After the nurse left, Grandpa and I talked about my writing business, the events of the week and the types of clients I was working with. Grandpa said the best advice he gave my dad when he started his own business was to always tell the truth. With his index finger still in the air, he pointed and me and said, “You can write about that.”

We finished a crossword puzzle, the Daily Jumble and a word find in the time it took the sun to hide for the night. It was time for me to get back to Fargo. With my warm coat on, I stood next to him in his chair as he finished up his taco salad.

“Can I get you anything before I go?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Grandpa said while he extended his arms.

Hugging often is great advice too.

I often think of Grandpa’s business advice, especially when it would just be so much easier to make an excuse for not wanting to do something. A few weeks later, after I explained why I couldn’t take on a particular project, the woman looked at me and said, “Thank you, I appreciate your honesty.”

Grandpa, that was great advice.

During a recent trip to the nursing home to visit my grandpa, the bulletin board in the entryway of the home caught my eye. It’s bright with a large, friendly looking turkey and some of the colorful tail feathers of Mr. Turkey are peppered with thoughts of thankfulness from the residents. Their words finish the sentence “What I’m thankful for…”

Immediately I spotted Grandpa’s note. It says, “…for everything I’ve had in my life.”

It made me thankful too.

And though it wasn’t on the first day of school, Grandpa was right – I did learn to read, my five-year-old reasoning just misunderstood.

I don’t think he needs to worry about it.