I’m sure you know the trust-building exercise. A standing, blind-folded person is instructed to slowly lean/fall backwards, into the arms of the team waiting to catch her. Your post today suggests you passed that with flying colors and are now ready to jump!
Hmmm. My paternal grandfather I never knew; he died before I was born. I just had photos from my parents’ wedding, with this dour, grumpy-faced old man (old! Elbert then would have been my age now) staring at the camera like he couldn’t wait to sit down. Then decades later my father showed off old movies to my (then) new bride, taken by Elbert, and Deb remarked how much fun Elbert looked, telling (silent) jokes and trying to get people to move because this was a MOVIE camera, folks, show some life! My father talked about how the man in the wedding photos was his post-stroke dad, who was in pain and had trouble moving; pre-stroke Dad was the “fun one in the family” (my mother’s phrase, borrowed from new in-laws who told her “oh, you should have known Elbert back when...”) and was always clowning around and going for the laughs. So I wouldn’t mind taking my paternal grandfather (pre-stroke) out to lunch and sharing lives over a burger.
Jack....I wish you could! My father's father was named Elmer. He died when I was three. I've heard mixed reviews on his personality...from stern to loving through generosity. Their life circumstances were so much different than ours?
Thanks Margaret! I was inspired in part by this line from the movie Almost Famous: "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is the truth that we share with one another when we are being uncool."
I’m sure you know the trust-building exercise. A standing, blind-folded person is instructed to slowly lean/fall backwards, into the arms of the team waiting to catch her. Your post today suggests you passed that with flying colors and are now ready to jump!
Have you ever done that? Jumped with trust?
I came face to face with one of my limiting beliefs here...."do not be a bother'. Can I flip bother to benefit?
Yay you! I look forward to hearing about the conversation.
I'll ask for his permission to share. ;) 88 years young ans a full life of experiences to explore.
Hmmm. My paternal grandfather I never knew; he died before I was born. I just had photos from my parents’ wedding, with this dour, grumpy-faced old man (old! Elbert then would have been my age now) staring at the camera like he couldn’t wait to sit down. Then decades later my father showed off old movies to my (then) new bride, taken by Elbert, and Deb remarked how much fun Elbert looked, telling (silent) jokes and trying to get people to move because this was a MOVIE camera, folks, show some life! My father talked about how the man in the wedding photos was his post-stroke dad, who was in pain and had trouble moving; pre-stroke Dad was the “fun one in the family” (my mother’s phrase, borrowed from new in-laws who told her “oh, you should have known Elbert back when...”) and was always clowning around and going for the laughs. So I wouldn’t mind taking my paternal grandfather (pre-stroke) out to lunch and sharing lives over a burger.
Jack....I wish you could! My father's father was named Elmer. He died when I was three. I've heard mixed reviews on his personality...from stern to loving through generosity. Their life circumstances were so much different than ours?
I look forward to details and reflections on the conversation with this grandfather Gail. Lovely post, again.
Thanks Margaret! I was inspired in part by this line from the movie Almost Famous: "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is the truth that we share with one another when we are being uncool."
How cool is that? :)