Recently, a light rain fell outside, a far cry from the torrential downpour that had drenched us earlier. I could have easily parked at my daughter’s school and hurried inside with her and my husband for the sports banquet, but instead, I paused at the door and urged them to go on without me. “This is what Grandpa would do,” I told Emily, our 16-year-old.
It’s been over a year since my father passed away, and while Emily and her younger brother Noah, 14, are old enough to recall his kindness, I still worry that their memories might fade. Today, on Grandparents Day, that concern is especially poignant. It’s their first without Grandpa, and it feels like a significant loss as we gather with three grandparents instead of four.
My children are wonderful—intelligent, fun, and caring—but like most teens, they can be a bit self-centered and stubborn. I hope that Grandpa’s battle with lung cancer, which lasted 16 months and included countless treatments and hospital stays, has imparted some important lessons to them. In addition to being their taxi service for the evening, I want to share these three lessons with them:
1. LGLGLG
This quirky acronym, pronounced “el-gee-el-gee-el-gee,” was a rallying cry from my father every Saturday morning. He loved to announce, “LGLGLG!” as we prepared to run errands together. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized it stood for “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go!” My dad was always eager to embrace the day ahead, having already whipped up breakfast and tackled the chores. He didn’t let the burdens of the week weigh him down; it was time for family. I want my kids to understand the positive spirit he embodied, even when he was exhausted.
2. Savor Every Moment
Whenever my parents visited, we indulged in Alaskan king crab legs. My father would head to the store and buy six pounds, steaming them to perfection. We’d cover the table with newspaper, melt butter, and gather cocktail sauce, ready to feast. While Emily would struggle to crack open the legs, Noah opted for something simpler. My husband was adept at pulling out the meat, but my dad always shared his best pieces with Mom, even if it slowed him down. His thoroughness and determination in even the smallest tasks were remarkable, and I hope my kids learn to embrace that same spirit.
3. Be a Source of Blessings
My dad had a habit of saying “bless you” for every little bodily noise. Whether it was a sneeze, cough, or even a yawn, he never missed a chance to offer his blessings. It became a running joke with Colin, who insists that my dad only did it for sneezes. But to me, those moments were a reminder of his intention to spread kindness. When Grandpa became too weak to say it, I felt an ache in my heart for the loss of that simple, caring gesture. It was a lesson in the power of intentional kindness, one that I hope Emily has taken to heart, especially when she offered me a cup of tea one evening, echoing her grandfather’s loving spirit.
On this Grandparents Day, I urge everyone to cherish the wisdom and love that grandparents impart. If you have a grandparent in your life, take a moment to let them know you appreciate the lessons they’ve shared.
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Summary:
In this heartfelt reflection, Lisa Thompson shares three essential lessons her teenagers can learn from their grandfather: embracing positivity (LGLGLG), savoring every moment (crab legs), and being a source of blessings. Through personal anecdotes, she highlights the lasting impact of her father’s kindness and encourages others to cherish their grandparents.