Make Your Decision, And Then Make It Work

Grandpa taught me to make a decision, and then make it work.  About two years ago, my sister (who also has infertility issues) and her husband were considering adopting a sibling group of 4 children from foster care.  They had 2 children already, an eleven-year-old daughter she had given birth to, and a seven-year-old son who they adopted as an infant.  This sibling group consisted of a twelve-year-old girl, and three boys ages five, three, and two.

After much prayer and soul-searching, they felt like they were going to adopt them, but my sister called Grandpa to talk to him about it first.  He told her, "Well, it sounds like you have done everything you need to to make a good decision about this.  The best advice that I can give you is that once you make your decision, that is the end of it.  Then just get busy making it work."  They did adopt these four children and they are busy making their wonderful family work.

Not only is this great advice for adoption, it's great advice for life.  Now, I know as well as anybody, that our best laid plans are not always successful - no matter how hard we try to make them work.  But, when that happens, I believe that - although it is difficult - we can make the choice to move forward and seek healing and happiness anyway.  And once we make that choice, then we just need to get busy making it work.

Thanks, Grandpa, for these (and so many other) lessons that you have taught me.  Thank you for the life you have lived and the example you are to all those around you.  Thank you for your love and the legacy you have built.  A legacy that has nothing to do with earthly riches, and everything to do with serving, loving, working, and living.

Enjoy The Journey

Grandpa taught me to enjoy the journey.  According to my dad, Grandpa used to say something to the effect of, "I'm never lost.  I might be on a road I've never traveled before, but I'm never lost.  I'm just enjoying new scenery."  Grandpa's life is a perfect example of enjoying the journey.  Whether it has been traveling roads all over the United States, England, or Australia, or simply traveling along in the journey of life, Grandpa never takes a minute for granted. 

To this day, when he drives around with my dad, Grandpa has one rule.  If it's a road Grandpa hasn't been on before, Dad has to make sure he's awake to see it.  If there's a new baby in the family, Grandpa wants to hold him or her.  If there's a hug to give, Grandpa gives it.  If there's a moment to be enjoyed, Grandpa savors it.

Through all of the ups and downs in life, Grandpa has always found a way to enjoy the journey.

It Is Important to Serve

Grandpa taught me that it is important to serve God.  When I was a little girl, my grandparents went on two separate missions.  One to Seattle, Washington and one to London, England.  While they were gone, they missed the things going on at home ... births, baptisms, holidays, birthdays ... and I missed them!

I missed walking next door to their house and playing with the box of wooden blocks on their living room floor.  I missed Grandpa handing me a lollipop, or Grandma slipping me a cookie from the strawberry cookie jar.  I missed Grandma singing and Grandpa's hugs.

I knew they missed me too, but I also knew the reason they were gone.  They went on those missions because they understood the importance of serving.  They knew that we need to love and serve our brothers and sisters here on this earth.  And they knew that as we serve each other, we are truly serving God.

It's Good to Laugh

In continuing with the things my Grandpa Huntsman has taught me....

Grandpa taught me that it's good to laugh.  I love listening to my grandpa laugh.  He's got this great laugh that starts as a breathy chuckle that grows into a belly laugh and continues building until he's laughing so hard that no sound is coming out.  He's just wheezing with a big grin on his face.  He laughs so hard that, as you watch him, you can't help but wonder if he's going to keep breathing.

My grandpa is always on the lookout for something that will make him so happy he can laugh right out loud.  That's how I want to be.

What My Grandpa Taught Me

So, it's been a crazy busy summer for me, as I'm sure it has been for many of you.  One of the recent activities was a week long camping trip in southern Utah, which included a family reunion and birthday celebration for my Grandpa Huntsman.  He's going to be 102 in September.  Yep.  You read that right.  102.  I grew up living next door to my Grandpa and Grandma, and although Grandma passed away when I was young, they both taught me many things.

So, in tribute to my grandpa, and in the spirit of finding hopeful things that make me smile, for the next couple weeks, I'm going to post about things my grandpa has taught me.  Please feel free to leave comments about what your grandparents have taught you.  I'd love to hear them!

Grandpa taught me that it's okay to cry.  I remember Grandma Huntsman singing "The Moon Shines Tonight on Pretty Redwing" with tears rolling down her cheeks.  I remember Grandpa listening to me and my daughter sing that song at a Christmas Eve party a few years ago (nearly 20 years after Grandma's passing).  He also had tears rolling down his cheeks.  Grandma had cried for Redwing.  Grandpa cried for Grandma, and he was not embarrassed or ashamed.  I will never forget that.