As I was climbing the Empire State Building for the second time this week, I realized; it’s not death that scares me. What scares the hell out of me, is being an old, decrepit, used up, broken down, bag of bones, who can’t even get off the couch. I didn’t climb the actual Empire State Building, it was a virtual simulation on the treadmill. 1250 feet vertical elevation gain; about 1 hour, on the NordicTrac.
Why do I subject myself to such physical trauma at social security age? Because I don’t have a choice. When I was young, physical conditioning wasn’t an issue. I could eat whatever I wanted, without gaining a pound. I could party all night, with only a mild headache in the morning. Heck, I could leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Sadly youth faded away, somewhere in my late thirties, though I didn’t realize it until I was in my forties. I went in for the annual physical and came face to face with the fact that I was deteriorating at a fairly rapid rate. I was becoming a fat old man, with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My triglycerides were on the verge of diabetes and I couldn’t even finish the treadmill, stress test.
It was a wakeup call. It was time to trade the Corkscrew and the Cigar cutter for a bicycle and running shoes. Change is often slow to manifest though and it wasn’t until I reached my fifties and my first grandchild was born that I got truly serious about my health and fitness. My second wakeup call – an angel was born.
I have four grandchildren now. 3 Boys and the Angel. I love the heck out of them and want to be around for them. I want to show them the important lessons in life that only a Grandpa can. There are certain concepts that a parent is responsible to model for their offspring but a Grandpa is different; like a Dad with a lot fewer rules. He has the freedom to be a little more eccentric, at least that’s what I tell myself.
My little Angel has already reached double digits but they’re all growing up so fast. I don’t just want to be around for them, I want to inspire them to be the best version of themselves. I want to run and play with them. I want to model the important things in life for them, like:
- Your Health is the most important thing – Don’t take it for granted.
- Slow Down – Let life unfold.
- Money doesn’t solve your problems – Happiness is not for sale.
- You won’t always get your way – Life’s not fair, get used to it.
- The World does not revolve around you – Perspective is key.
- Reaping the Reward – Requires some Risk.
- Be Present – In the Now
- Patience – Enough said.
There are other lessons too. Like a few, my Grandpa taught me:
- Tomatoes are a fruit – you can eat them just like an Apple, straight from the Garden.
- Fishing is more than a Jerk at one end of the line, waiting for a jerk at the other. It’s a microcosm of Life.
- Life’s a little like playing Pitch, sometimes ya’ just gotta shoot the moon.
- Beer’s an important food group.
As my journey into Grandparenthood unfolds, I use my Mom for inspiration. She modeled being a Grandparent and a Great Grandparent, exceptionally well; Be there, be fun and no judgments. Show ‘em what living your best life looks like, don’t preach to them. There’s nothing like having one of them come and ask, “Hey Grandpa, can we go fishing?”
“Being an exceptional grandfather is not about changing your grandkids. It is about changing yourself.” – Eyre Richard