Three Valuable Lessons I Hope My Teens Took Away from Their Grandfather

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The rain was barely a bother the other night, especially compared to earlier when visibility was nearly nonexistent. I could have parked at my daughter’s school and hurried inside with her and my husband for the sports banquet, outpacing the raindrops. Instead, I paused at the cafeteria entrance and insisted that my daughter and husband head in without me. I chose to park on my own.

“This is what Grandpa would do,” I told Ava, our 16-year-old.

My father passed away last May. Ava and her brother Jake, 14, are old enough to remember his kindness, but I often feel the need to reinforce those memories. With Grandparents Day approaching, I find myself longing for my kids to really grasp what they can learn from their grandfather. They’re fantastic kids—bright, fun, and sweet—but they also have their fair share of teenage quirks: self-absorbed, obstinate, and moody. The challenges we faced over Dad’s battle with lung cancer—16 months of ups and downs—should inspire some valuable lessons for them. So, alongside my usual role as their chauffeur, I remind them of three key lessons:

1. LGLGLG

That’s pronounced “el-gee-el-gee-el-gee,” a catchy phrase I heard from Dad every Saturday when we’d run errands together. He’d stand in our living room, bursting with energy, proclaiming, “LGLGLG!” It wasn’t until my teenage years that I realized it wasn’t a real word but short for “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go!” He was always eager to dive into the day, keen to spend time with us, and give Mom a breather. He’d whip up breakfast—French toast or scrambled eggs—and tackle the chores without letting his worries weigh him down. I want my kids to understand the positive energy he brought into everything he did, even when he was exhausted.

2. Savor the Crab Legs

Whenever my parents visited, we indulged in Alaskan king crab legs. Dad would head to the store and bring back six pounds, steamed and lightly seasoned with Old Bay. We’d cover the dining room table with newspaper, melt butter, and ladle out various dipping sauces. Ava would attempt to crack open the legs while Jake opted for his usual fast food. Dad, ever the sharer, would take his time, giving his best pieces to Mom while still managing to extract every last bit of meat from those tough shells. His thoroughness and determination even in the smallest tasks is something I hope my kids carry with them.

3. Embrace Blessings

Dad had a “bless you” obsession. Sneezes, coughs, yawns—you name it, he’d say it. Colin insists we only joked about him saying it after passing gas, but I think it happened! When he could no longer say “bless you,” it felt like I had lost a piece of comfort. Yet, I came to realize he never said it mindlessly; every “bless you” was heartfelt. A few weeks later, Ava surprised me by asking if I wanted tea, echoing the bedtime treat Dad would offer Mom. She’s learning that blessings come in small, thoughtful gestures, and I believe she’s carrying that legacy forward.

Today is Grandparents Day. If you still have a grandparent in your life, take a moment to show them that you’re listening too. And if you’re interested in learning more about pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource. For tips on boosting fertility, visit Make a Mom for expert advice. And if you’re curious about home insemination strategies, our other blog post at Home Insemination Kit is worth a read.

Summary:

This heartfelt reflection shares three essential lessons a mother hopes her teenagers learned from their late grandfather: embracing enthusiasm for life, savoring shared experiences, and recognizing the importance of small blessings. By remembering these values, the author hopes to instill in her children the positive energy and kindness their grandfather embodied.