Grandpa’s Anxious Blessiings For A Cherub
Grant, at four you’re a picture of the best of humankind.
Your half-bashful smile and twinkling eyes, and the way you sometimes flirtatiously wrinkle your brows when speaking is disarming. You have the heartiest laugh I’ve ever heard and, regardless of what you find funny, others can’t resist joining with you in a chorus of laughter.
But that’s merely window dressing for the soul and, while perhaps you are a bit unusual, that’s not enough to make you stand out in a crowd of charming four-year-olds. Your disposition is unique. Every morning I’ve been around you, you’ve awoken in a good mood. Your Mom and Dad say that’s your norm. When I asked how you can wake up so happy, you seemed surprised, as if it’s the only way you can be.
While we were walking down slushy, blustery streets in Chicago this winter, sometimes you were humming your own tune. You didn’t like getting snow in your boots, but when we left the elements you let it go at that.
Your patience is astounding. With sub-zero temperatures outside, we were stuck for six hours sitting in a cold, drafty boarding area of Union Station while pipes were being thawed on our train. You never complained as we chatted with strangers, read stories, ate snacks and endlessly played tic tac toe. When we finally left, well after your bedtime, you fell asleep almost immediately and didn’t budge until we got to East Lansing in the early predawn.
Your quick wit is legendary. My favorite story is your response when your mother once asked you to do a favor for her. You said something like “Sure thing, princess” and did it.
Now you’ve left toddlerhood behind and are on the way to learning how to become a responsible, contented adult living in our topsy-turvy world. I feel privileged to be part of your life, and can’t know how long I’ll be here. So today I want to leave some special, warm thoughts and wishes for you.
May you perpetually protect your naturally contented soul. Life stands ready to grind everyone down, each in his own way. Adversity, like clouds and chill winds will surely darken your days. But like the sun that merely awaits an opportunity to warm and illuminate the day, your buoyant disposition will always be with you, ready to lift your spirits when the time comes.
Without remembering specifics, every day you’re storing memories of waking up happy and feeling loved. Revisit those memories often to tune up your soul. Allow their warmth to comfort you as you navigate through difficult times. My spirit will be smiling down on you.
As you grow and mature, may you continuously perfect your virtue of patience. It will be life’s most challenging obligation to yourself and the ones you love. The serenity prayer – grant me grace to accept what can’t be changed, courage to change what can be changed, and wisdom to know the difference – is an empty platitude.
That kind of wisdom cannot be granted. It is earned through thoughtful trial and error during experience. Sometimes you can adapt your thoughts and beliefs to reality, and come to accept it as is. Sometimes you must extricate yourself from realities that threaten to destroy you and harm ones you love.
And may you learn to manage your quick wit. Some will consider it arrogance. Others will try to exploit it and you. Your wit, charm and disposition are merely accessories for developing a contented, responsible life for yourself and the betterment of mankind.
Godspeed.
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