Day 110 - Appreciating Grandma
- Small Victory!
Family is coming up big-time today. In my meditation on the game this morning it occurred to me how nice it was when I sent my all of my parents on the Holidays of their choosing. (Both on Day 40 and on Day 60.)
But the real gift came to me as a moment with my grandmother. I’ve mentioned my Financial Planner before. He and I are working together on several fronts, and one of our agreements is to do most of our business meetings outdoors. We both love nature.
The following is a letter to him about the moment with my grandmother. (I hope that’s not too confusing.)
I just got off the phone with my grandmother who has always been the best woman I’ve ever known. She’s been there for me when no one else could be.
Years ago, shortly after my seven year stint in college(s), she said to me, “I have a lot invested in you, MacEwen.”
And I took that completely the wrong way. I thought she was saying that I had been an expensive grand child. That I’d racked up a giant bill with her. That she resented it. And I was listening from a very closed and distant place. I made it hurt. A lot.
And yesterday, when you and I were on our hike, and I was listening to the intense awe and respect in your voice when you talk about your father, I was moved. I heard myself inviting you to lean into a new relationship with your father as a mentor, wherever he is.
Driving away, I realized I have ways that I can do that too. (Coaching you is nudging me to follow my own advice.)
This morning I was mulling over your premise that you can only invest in people. People are all that create value. And it hit me. Like a million tons of bricks. That my Grandmother has been investing in me. Not my education, or my housing, or my survival, or my business ideas… She’s been investing in the value I can be in the world. She’s been investing in me.
(There are not enough tissues to protect my shirt right now.)
Once I realized where she had been coming from, I noticed myself thinking, wouldn’t it be nice if she knew how I felt.
My phone nearly tapped me on the shoulder and started dialing… and she picked up. Its breakfast time. Any other day I would have gotten her voice mail. (And I am SO lucky man. My son has her for a great-grandmother. She’s still here.)
It took a few deep breaths to choke out all the words, but it was awesome! How often do we take the time to really appreciate the people who made our lives possible? To take the opportunity to appreciate in the moment?
So, I’m really grateful for the “ah-ha,” and for you as a listener and an influence. There isn’t a hedge fund in the world that generates these kinds of dividends.
I honestly don’t know what to do with $110,000 after that. A few months ago I committed a day to sharing Grandma’s writing. I think today, I’ll name a library after her in the town we grew up in. Or at least put a plaque up at the entrance to a library in her honor. I know they’ll accept every dime graciously!
What an amazing woman. How great it feels to genuinely appreciate her.
You got me choked up on that one