As I drove home one evening, the rain was a mild inconvenience compared to the downpour we had experienced earlier. I could have easily parked at my daughter’s school and rushed inside with her and my husband for the sports banquet. Instead, I paused at the entrance and insisted that they go ahead without me. I would park alone. “This is what Grandpa would do,” I told Emily, my 16-year-old daughter.
My father passed away in May, and while Emily and her brother Max, who is 14, are old enough to have observed his kindness, I often feel the need to reinforce those memories. Today, on Grandparents Day, my longing for them to remember him grows stronger. It’s their first year without Grandpa, and our family dynamic has shifted from four grandparents to three.
My children are wonderful—intelligent, amusing, and caring—but they also exhibit typical teenage traits: selfishness, stubbornness, and moodiness. After my father’s battle with lung cancer, which lasted 16 months and included numerous treatments and hospital stays, I hope they’ve gleaned some important lessons from his life. Beyond simply driving them around, I want to impart these lessons:
-
LGLGLG
A phrase I grew up hearing, pronounced “el-gee-el-gee-el-gee,” my father would exclaim this every Saturday before we embarked on our errands. Standing in our living room, he would shout, “LGLGLG!” It wasn’t until my teenage years that I learned it stood for “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go!” My dad was always eager to seize the day, spend quality time with us, and give my mother a break. He had already prepared breakfast, done the dishes, and compiled his to-do list, all while keeping a positive attitude. I want my children to understand the kind of husband and father my dad was, and how his enthusiasm for life exemplified his resilience, even in challenging times. -
Savor Your Crab Legs
Whenever my parents visited, we indulged in Alaskan king crab legs. My father would buy six pounds, steamed and seasoned with Old Bay. We spread newspaper across the dining room table and prepared melted butter, malt vinegar, and cocktail sauce. While Emily would struggle to crack the legs and Max opted for fast food, I did my best to extract the meat. My husband was more skilled, but my father took it a step further by sharing his best pieces with my mother. His willingness to share, even when it slowed him down, showcased his thoroughness and determination. I want my kids to remember that every effort counts, no matter how small. -
Embrace the Blessings
My dad had a habit of saying “bless you” for every sneeze, cough, hiccup, or yawn. Colin insists that it was a joke, but I believe it was a genuine expression of his affection. As a child, I would sometimes roll my eyes at his enthusiasm, but when he became too weak to say it, I realized how much I took that little gesture for granted. It was a reminder of his intentionality. In the weeks after his passing, Emily surprised me one evening by offering to make tea, a practice my father cherished. I hope this reflects not just her memories of him but also the lessons I’ve shared about his thoughtfulness and care.
As we observe Grandparents Day, I encourage everyone with living grandparents to cherish those relationships. Listen to their stories and learn from their experiences.
If you’re interested in more insights on home insemination, check out this blog post that offers valuable resources. For those seeking authoritative information, consider visiting Cryobaby, which specializes in home insemination kits. Additionally, for a comprehensive understanding of intrauterine insemination, the NHS resource can be invaluable.
In summary, the lessons my father imparted through his actions and love remain a guiding influence for my children. I hope they carry these values forward in their lives.