I am very lucky, I have my Grandfather alive, and who is now in his 80’s. As with all people age and time take there toll. Granddad the other day gave me some brylcream, which came in a snazzy looking ‘cricket ball’ type container. He was quite excited as he pointed out that when I had finished using the product (which incidentally I don’t use) the kids could use the ball to play cricket. I thought about pointing out that it was plastic and that using it to play cricket would be unwise, but I held back.
You see over the last few years everyone has pointed out every little mistake Granddad makes and mentions age and forgetfulness etc. and to be honest so have I. Why didn’t I point this out? Well you see I started thinking. The letter opener in his hand he had made, not bought, but made, out of some spare airplane parts that was laying around, the handle is made from spark plug caps from a spitfire, the blade from part of a propeller and the guard from yet another part of the plane (oops I am getting forgetful!). His sheds (for he has two) would rival even the best laid out engineering workshops, with lathes and precision drills etc. OK he doesn’t use any of it anymore, but it is all there in its place and greased in case he does feel the need to make, oh I don’t know, pretty much anything.
In his youth he was playing with a couple of lads when they decided to put a sail on there canoe, finding it wasn’t stable, he added a second canoe to it, forming what was probably the first catamaran ever seen. The lads he was playing with were called Prout, you may have heard of Prouts catamarans, or you may have not, but they are one of the best cats in the world. He didn’t sue them or ask for money, for he was there friend and enjoyed many years with them, not working for them or with them, but as a friend watching them grow there business.
He went to war and fought for his country, when war was proper, not some video game. He evaded capture at Hong Kong . He has seen governments come and go, and has now buried most of his friends. He still remains calm in the face of pretty much anything and can still make grown men shudder when he disagrees them, just by quietly speaking to them. He is moral and proper and acts like a gentleman should and still picks me up on things I say and do.
So why did I not point out his mistake? Because to be honest he is an amazing man and I wish I was half the man or had half the skills he does even now, and he is 50 years my senior. So don’t put old people down or take the mickey, for if it was not for them we wouldn’t be here. On top of that they can do things that we can not even imagine these days.
So I say again, here is to the Granddads.
