Wisdom from my 99 Year Old Granddaddy
This week I woke one morning to a text from my 20 year old son Nate. It simply said, “I don’t know why, but I think you should go see great grandma and great granddaddy.”
My grandparents live in a nursing home. At 48, it’s amazing that I have 2 grandparents still living. My grandfather is 99 and grandmother is 94. I realize I should go see them more often, but I took Nate’s advice and went the same day.
My grandparents stay in different rooms, even though they are still passionately in love. My grandmother says he talks too much and would keep her up at night 
When I arrived my grandfather was in the hallway. I stopped, kneeled down and talked with him for a while. Then I pushed him where he was headed, just outside the dining room. He likes to sit and wait until they bring my grandmother to lunch. We sat in front of a big picture window and talked.
My grandfather’s body is still strong. His mind comes and goes but his long-term memory is great. My grandmother’s body is weak, but her mind is excellent.
Our conversation was random most of the time, but I decided to take out my phone and record some of the nuggets of awesomeness from my grandfather.
Here are random thoughts from a 99 year old:
I’m just looking for Pauline (Shortly after I found him wandering the halls. Pauline is my grandmother. They’ve been married over 70 years. I wrote about that HERE.)
I was born in 1912. That was a long time ago now. (When I asked how he was feeling. I suppose that was enough of an answer.)
Time flies so fast (When I talked about his upcoming 100th birthday. I guess that’s true regardless of age.)
I remember fishing in a pond down from our house when I was a boy. (Reminding me to make memories that last.)
I feel a lot older than that (When I asked him if he felt 99)
You turned out to be a handsome man (I guess grandads have to say that.)
What do you think about Pauline? (He asked this several times. I told him I liked her a lot )
She’s the prettiest girl I know (Speaking of my grandmother. He’s been saying that all my life)
That window used to be a door I bet. Those are not hard to replace. (As we looked out the window.)
I miss John Reid (Speaking of my father who died a couple years ago)
He never caused me any problems. (Again speaking of my father, who rebelled for many years. Reminding me we mostly remember the good days.)
I don’t think I ever spanked him. Well, maybe once. (I suspect he forgot a few times )
I wish Pauline felt better. (He appears to worry about her.)
Those bugs are hard to get rid of (Random thought while looking out the window. He then proceeded to tell me how he would get rid of them. It involved some sawing, a drill, a hammer and some nails.)
I can’t believe the Lord blessed me with someone like Pauline. (Here’s a man who dearly loves his wife. It was challenging.)
We didn’t use to write like that. (Speaking of me typing into my phone taking notes on what he was saying.)
It must have a good memory (Not sure he was using memory in the same sense I would, but it made sense.)
I need to go find Pauline… (I told him I’d help him find his sweetheart.)
Grandparents are awesome!
Surely it’s Grandparents Day somewhere…Tell me about your grandparents…or what it’s like being one!
