Wednesday, October 12, 2016

You've Got To Do Your Own Growing

You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.”
-Irish proverb
 
We are all on our own journeys.  My parents, grandparents, and other ancestors had their own journeys, struggles, and successes.  All of their DNA is part of me but my particular assortment of DNA is unique to me.  I hope the best of all of them is part of who I am but I also know the less than great tendencies of my ancestors also manifests itself in my looks and behavior.  I know from my younger brother’s ancestry research that there are a few skeletons in the closet.  Whatever is the best and the worst of my heritage, the future is on me.  I am now the grandfather to a 12 year old girl that I love dearly.  Every weekend I hear about her existential angst as she makes her way through middle school and heads full blast into her teenage years.  I hope I have many years ahead where I can share my life experience and wisdom with her so that her path is a little smoother than mine has been.  However, I know that I can’t fix everything for her or shield her from all pain.  She is on her own journey and she must walk her own path.  I will accompany her as long as the universe allows me but eventually I will only be in her memories.  Hopefully the best of me will live on in her and the journey will continue.

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