My grandfather was truly one of a kind. There wasn't a time where I remember seeing him without a smile, no matter how stressful or hard the day might have been. He was a man who loved his family and believed in a strong work ethic. He taught me many important lessons, but the five below are ones that will stick with me forever. Thanks for teaching me how to live life without fear, to never lose a good sense of humor, and to love generously. I couldn't ask for a better guardian angel, Anthony Lacqua.
1. When you're having a one-on-one conversation with someone, make that person feel as if they are the most important person in the world.
Every single time I spoke to my grandpa about anything, his full and undivided attention would be on me. He wouldn't miss a word I said. Don't you love those kind of people? The kind of people that when you're telling them something, you feel as if there is nothing more important to that person than what you're saying. People in general love to talk about themselves, but what people love even more is feeling that what they say matters.
2. Give a stranger a smile, and even converse with them.
Whenever the weather was nice, my grandpa would bring out a chair to his driveway and say hi to anyone who walked by. It didn't have to be his neighbor or someone he knew. It could've been anyone in the world and my grandpa would still say hello. He could talk to anyone about anything, and that's why people loved him. He didn't spread joy to just his loved ones, but also to any person who crossed his path.
3. Frank Sinatra knows best when he sings, "When there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out."
During my grandpa's final days he would always sing "My Way" by Sinatra. That song described him so well because my grandpa set the perfect example of someone who was confident in every decision he made. He was a successful man and the reason for that was not because he was book smart or street smart, but primarily because he had determination and didn't let anyone stop him from doing/achieving what he wanted to -- especially not his own self. And that's a problem many of us (including I) can surely attest to having. We all sometimes suffer from self-doubt, but we don't have to. We don't want others to doubt us, so why should we do it to ourselves?
4. Check up on your loved ones who live far away as much as you can.
My grandpa would call me every week, but he called me even more frequently when I went away to college. I remember one time in particular when I had gotten my wisdom teeth removed, and he called me every single day asking how my recovery was. I still have voicemails of him saying, "Hey, it's grandpa. Just wanted to know how you're feeling." Maybe part of the reason why he called so often after my procedure was because he was a dentist ... but I know the main reason was because he loved me and wanted to make sure I was doing okay. However, even if your distant relatives/friends did not go into surgery, still call them. Ask them how they're doing. It means more to them than you think.
5. Don't give up, and don't let others give up either.
My grandpa had a friend once who wanted to drop out of school. He sat his friend down in a diner, and told him he wasn't going to let him make that choice. My grandpa's friend decided to stay in school after that conversation. Now there was obviously more to the conversation, but the point is that my grandpa saw the potential in his friend. When his friend didn't believe in himself, my grandpa was there to lend support and strength. My grandpa believed strongly in making something out of yourself, even if you have to go through obstacle after obstacle. Adversity should not result in giving up.
After all, there is no such thing as "giving up," but only "trying harder."
