Ten Lessons From My Grandfather

Married 68 years and still madly in love.

Last weekend I made an emergency trip to Boston after my 92 year old grandfather developed a subdural hematoma and needed brain surgery. It was scary because his neuro status was rapidly declining and had the doctor not drilled a hole in his head he likely would have slipped away into a coma.

Remarkably, in a bedside procedure using only some sedation, the neurosurgeon inserted a small valve and drained 170 cc of blood from my grandfather’s brain. He recovered almost completely within hours, making jokes with the hospital staff and holding long conversations with me about engineering and philosophy.

I spent four long days pretty much just sitting in the hospital with my granddad talking to him and watching him interact with loads of other people. Everyone who comes in contact with him adores him. He has his flaws, but watching him interact with others reminded me of how lucky I am to have such a tremendous role model.

So I present to you a few lessons I have learned from my grandfather, both through verbal instruction and sheer example.

  1. Keep your sense of humor in all situations. 
  2. Greet everyone with a smile. That includes every single doctor, nurse, orderly and even cleaning people. The most important surgeon and the lowliest customer service staff get the same warmth.
  3. Show genuine interest in everyone. Don’t fake it, ask people about themselves and what they are doing and why they do what they do. 
  4. Never stop learning. 
  5. Travel as much as possible. Travel the world and get outside your own culture. 
  6. Read every day. Read newspapers, magazines, and books to stay current. 
  7. Be kind and compassionate, always. 
  8. Trust your doctors, but ask lots of questions. 
  9. Don’t be too quick on the emotional trigger. Pause and consider circumstances before reacting. 
  10. Set short and long term goals. 
My granddad is now in an acute rehab hospital just working on building his walking strength and balance. He’ll be home soon. We are so grateful. 
Do any of these really resonate with you? What have you learned from your grandparents?

9 thoughts on “Ten Lessons From My Grandfather”

  1. Number 5 resonates with me BIG time!  I have had a deep desire to do my first mission trip sometime soon.  This year did not work due to the birth of Layla, but that is on my list for next year.  I cannot wait to get out of my bubble and learn about other cultures.  The biggest question of all is where to go?  I am really praying through that right now!  
    Thanks for the post.  We can really lean a lot from our elders!!

  2. Number 5 resonates with me BIG time!  I have had a deep desire to do my first mission trip sometime soon.  This year did not work due to the birth of Layla, but that is on my list for next year.  I cannot wait to get out of my bubble and learn about other cultures.  The biggest question of all is where to go?  I am really praying through that right now!  
    Thanks for the post.  We can really lean a lot from our elders!!

  3. Number 5 resonates with me BIG time!  I have had a deep desire to do my first mission trip sometime soon.  This year did not work due to the birth of Layla, but that is on my list for next year.  I cannot wait to get out of my bubble and learn about other cultures.  The biggest question of all is where to go?  I am really praying through that right now!  
    Thanks for the post.  We can really lean a lot from our elders!!

  4. That’s great! I have this desire too, have for a long time, although logistics have always made it tough. Now we will likely be going to Haiti rather frequently so something like Mozambique or Aceh are not very possible. But this doesn’t just apply to mission trips either…my grandfather has never been on one of those. Traveling means being exposed to people unlike yourself and it gives new perspective on people who are different from you in your daily life. Traveling yields tolerance. It is the solution to racism. It’s a shame most people don’t have the luxury of much travel. 

  5. That’s great! I have this desire too, have for a long time, although logistics have always made it tough. Now we will likely be going to Haiti rather frequently so something like Mozambique or Aceh are not very possible. But this doesn’t just apply to mission trips either…my grandfather has never been on one of those. Traveling means being exposed to people unlike yourself and it gives new perspective on people who are different from you in your daily life. Traveling yields tolerance. It is the solution to racism. It’s a shame most people don’t have the luxury of much travel. 

  6. That’s great! I have this desire too, have for a long time, although logistics have always made it tough. Now we will likely be going to Haiti rather frequently so something like Mozambique or Aceh are not very possible. But this doesn’t just apply to mission trips either…my grandfather has never been on one of those. Traveling means being exposed to people unlike yourself and it gives new perspective on people who are different from you in your daily life. Traveling yields tolerance. It is the solution to racism. It’s a shame most people don’t have the luxury of much travel. 

  7. My opportunities to be with Stan have been fewer…but my reflections on those times mirror yours about “who he is”!  So grateful he is improving!

  8. My opportunities to be with Stan have been fewer…but my reflections on those times mirror yours about “who he is”!  So grateful he is improving!

  9. I do 6 of those 10 daily, and I want to live up to the other 4.. I am praying for your family daily and hope you are afforded the opportunity to enrich your lives through them and share with the world!

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