Andy Rooney is the quintessential grandpa. He is also a rich and famous journalist who makes his living sitting in front of a desk and telling his adoring fans that there is not as much coffee in coffee cans these days. He is not without his detractors. How would I most benefit if Andy Rooney were my grandfather; besides the possibility of a large inheritance? I would overlook his shortcomings and pay close attention and spend as much time as possible with him. If I have learned anything in this life (the jury is still out on that question) it is that I, and from what I can tell from observation most of the rest of humanity, have failed to take advantage of whatever wisdom my grandfather might have imparted to me if I hadn't been so busy learning how to avoid getting the 8-ball in the pocket at the wrong time. I must beg for some compassion considering the fact that I didn't know my paternal grandfather and my maternal grandfather was an inattentive slob who co-authored 10 children by his wife, my grandmother, and 5 more by his live-in mistress in another town. Somehow he managed to run two successful businesses despite all these responsibilities, considerable girth and a penchant for pickled pigs-feet, limburger cheese and mounds of sauerkraut. Not to mention an ever-present cigar. As far as I know he had little culture to impart to me and I found him repellant. But I don't know. What if I had cultivated his friendship in spite of the odor? Running two successful businesses and maintaining two productive households ain't hay. Surely there was something to learn worth retaining. Well, I blew that one; mostly because of the limburger I think. One must learn to overcome superficial obstacles. As happenstance would have it I later married a woman of splendid quality who brought nothing but joy to the marriage. Would that I could say the same for myself but she seemed to like me in spite of my flaws. Her grandmother had married a man 20 years her junior, at his insistence. He was the head of the math department at two different colleges and an ardent collector of art, especially ceramics of the modern persuasion. He was a real sponsor, feeding the hungry artists, introducing them to important people, promoting their careers selflessly. And I? I was so enamored of my loving wife I didn't take time to be with him and gain his wisdom and try to be more like him. So make an effort not to be overly distracted by limburger or love from getting the most from your grandfather. You'll be a better person. |
