For My Grandpa, On His 85th Birthday
Background: My family is big on speeches. Since I couldn’t be at my Grandpa’s 85th birthday party, I thought I would share “some words”, as my family woud say, in his honor. This is what came out of it.
Although this is a fairly (really) personal thing to share, I think it’s important, especially in today’s world, to honor men with strong beliefs that who remain optimistic and enthralled by the future rather than desperately clutching to memories of simpler times.
At 25, there are days when the internet makes me feel old. I just hope that when I am 85 I am more upbeat than curmudgeonly.
Last year, Women outnumbered men in the workforce for the first time in modern history. For every two men that get a college degree this year, three women will do the same. Of the 15 jobs categories that are expected to grow the fastest in the next decade, 13 are staffed primarily by women.
Faced with these statistics there has been much debate on the changing roles of masculinity in today’s world. Whether it’s an argument about gender roles in post-industrial society, Tony Romo getting praise for playing football with a broken rib, or a speech from the president on Father’s day that thanks those fathers who simply show up for their kids everyday — we are constantly trying to define what it means to be a man today.
I guess I’m sort of lucky. I’ve gotten quite an example of what it means to be a man from two people in my Family.
Because it’s your birthday Grandpa, I’ll pick out three of your qualities that inspire me to be a better man everyday.
1) You have an incredible confidence in your knowledge and understanding of the world. The best part is that you strive to share those ideas and understanding with those around you on a daily basis.
2) You have an astounding ability to find common ground and topics of conversation with all kinds of people. Even your 25 year old nephew who has moved to the land of the Lutherans in the midwest..
3) Even while you face challenges, you have the ability to smile and appreciate the world around you.
I am so lucky to have you as a role model in my life, and I hope, when I turn 85, I’ll have a grandson who looks up to me the way I look up to you.
At the very least, I hope I am as handsome / fashionable.
I love you Grandpa, I wish I could be there with you today. Thank you for helping me understand what is important in life, by living yours with such meaning and vigor.
