"I wonder of God today is the same God as he was yesterday?" -Joseph Nedd Sr.
I can remember visiting my grandfather many years ago in Sumter, SC and overhearing a conversation he was having with a neighbor. They were both in their senior years and contemplating the rate of change that was taking place in the world.
Drugs and guns had made their way into the hands of the young and restless population. Crime was rising to an all-time high. Unemployment was going up and folks had real concerns about how they were going to make it on a day to day basis. As I look back at that conversation he was having probably over 20 years ago, it makes me think about how even then, people knew that something just wasn't right.
As of this writing, I am traveling to Sumter SC one last time to see my grandad. I say one last time because he passed away almost a week ago. He lived to be 94 years old. It's hard to argue with God, (and I won't on this occasion), when a loved one is taken away who has been blessed to spend that amount of time on earth. 94 years of anything is a long long time! At age 38, it gives me hope that if I take care of myself, I've got a pretty good chance of being around for a while.
I'm thinking about my grandfather for obvious reasons. However, the real reason I decided to share my thoughts with you in writing is to share a hope that I have for everyone. I can remember being in my late teens and early 20's. I grew up in Charleston, SC. My dad had been taking me to Sumter for a number of years to visit my grandad, who by the way, probably had one of the most fruitful pear trees I have ever witnessed! As he grew older and less able to do things around the house and yard for himself, my dad would have me drive to Sumter and cut grass, do laundry and clean up around the house to help my grandad out.
My grandfather would talk to me and my young ears didn't want to hear much of what he had to say. In my young man, he was old and really didn't know much of what he was talking about. In my young mind, I just wanted to get in, do what my dad asked me to take care of and get back to Charleston so I could go on with whatever I was choosing to do at the time.
I have to warn you that there are parts of my younger self that almost make me ashamed as I have grown older. I wonder now, how I could have been so selfish? I am thankful though, that my grandfather lived long enough for me to mature and be able to slow my mind down and actually listen to his conversation. It surprised me that the old guy knew exactly what was going on with things. He was up to date with current events because he watched the news and read the paper a lot. However, he had spent his share of time being around people and he had become a master of human nature.
I won't go into specifics of our conversations, but I could imagine how he felt to be able to pass along knowledge to a younger person...especially when its a grandchild. From this it became obvious to me that you don't grow old being stupid. My grandfather at that time in his life had seen his share of the world and the people in it to have a great opinion on how things were. Now that I am a little older and I have some grey in my beard, I can only chuckle and shake my head when it comes to young people and their inability to take advice from an older person.
My grandmother, God rest her soul, used to have a saying: "they call you young because you're strong and they call you old because you know the way." I get chills now just writing this. I am beginning to better understand the circle of life and how I fit into it. Moreover, I realize that when it comes to the younger generation, I see them as being in the rush I was in to get all they think is owed to them in life. One day, I hope they understand that life is about the journey and not the destination. I often wish I could simply give away the things I have been exposed to, but I realize that there are some gifts that will never be accepted by the masses. I'm okay with that. I really am. However, I continue to live and prepare myself for the day when some young person, who is ready to learn takes the time to listen. That's how I plan to celebrate every loved one who has ever thought enough of me to share their knowledge and experience.
"Dreams mean work!"
Lou Riley is a Personal Development Guru and Social Media Marketing Consultant in Nashville, TN.
You can learn more about Lou Riley by visiting his blog: http://www.lourileylive.com
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