What I Have Learned From My Grandfather

At the beginning of 2020 I made it my goal to pay more attention to what I can learn from those closest to me. Recently, my grandfather was diagnosed with Leukemia. This news made me heavily reflect upon what I have learned from him. At the age of 82, my grandfather Frank has lived long enough to develop MANY hobbies. Some have included the daily crossword with his wife, playing bridge, theater, woodworking, and much more. However, his greatest passion, pastime, and hobby has always been writing. I spent many weekends and vacations at my grandfather’s and without fail, every time I would wake up at his house he would make me pancakes and insist on explaining his newest literary project to me. Some were too complex for me to understand and others I found funny. He has experience as an english teacher but his profession was never as a writer. 

The picture above is my favorite picture of him. I took this picture of him at his 80th birthday party as he ate lobster and told me about his newest novel. The smile on his face says it all. 

Perhaps some of the most poignant memories in my head of Frank are the times he shared his work with others. Once I was at his house and he printed out his newest blog post on feminism for me to read. I remember he walked into the living room very excited for my feminine brain to read it and give input. I think he missed the irony of printing out a blog post. However, his points were valid and it was fascinating to read. In one of his blog articles, he wrote about his home city Bangor being the “Paris of Maine”. An interesting conclusion, but nonetheless a fascinating read because it was an insight into the love of his city and something he was excited to write about. 

Around 10 or so years ago, he frantically called my dad in the middle of the night. My dad answered the phone, expecting to hear the news of a family tragedy. Instead, Frank had just finished a draft of his novel and wanted him to read it. This novel is now complete and independently published. His first Sci-Fi novel Spliced is very interesting. 

In one of his blog articles, he wrote about his home city Bangor being the “Paris of Maine”. An interesting conclusion, but nonetheless a fascinating read because it was an insight into the love of his city and something he was excited to write about. 

I have also watched some of my friends innocently ask him what he is writing and get into an hour-long discussion in which he details every part of his newest book to them. He will gladly tell you everything he has ever written and every part of his current project. He is truly passionate about what he writes. 

As far as I am aware, he sits at his computer for hours on end writing for his own enjoyment. He has written short stories, blogs, articles, poems, and even a novel. He has taken to writing because he enjoys it. In contrast, writing is something I have never enjoyed because of the academic rigor it was usually connected to. I never liked writing unless I had to. It was never a hobby or something I enjoyed. What I have learned from my grandfather is to do what makes you happy and to not be afraid to share it with others. He likes to write whatever he feels like that day and he likes to share it with people unapologetically. Because of this I am convinced he lives a happier life. This is the lesson I will be taking into 2020. Find something that makes me happy and share it with others. 

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