At the end of 2016 my grandpa, or Pops as we like to call him, turned 83-years-old. My mom's friend told us about an fun activity to do with elderly loved ones. Invite them over for a meal and then record an interview to secure their memories and wisdom for years to come.
We found a huge list that included close to 100 interview questions, but we narrowed it down to about 10 that we felt were extremely powerful. We planned to ask him questions such as: "what are you favorite childhood memories, who influenced you most while you were growing up, tell us about the love of your life, what is your favorite thing about yourself, and what is one piece of wisdom you want to pass to future generations?"
Since we have a good relationship with Pops, we already did know quite a lot about his background. He did have a few stories that I had never heard before. One of the memories that Pops recalled clearly from his days growing up on the farm was one particular dusk while he was plowing a field. As he rode on the tractor, a mother skunk and her babies began to follow him directly down the path he was clearing. As Pops described in detail the cuteness of the skunk family, his eyes lit up and a smile filled his face from ear to ear. It was obvious that this was one of his happiest memories. I found it extremely beautiful that one of Pops' fondest memories was something so pure and so simple. My grandpa is a deeply spiritual man and from this interview I discovered that he feels most connected to God in nature. I think that in this joyous moment, Pops felt a deep connection to something bigger than himself, which is why it is one of his favorite childhood memories.
As the interview continued I realized that this memory was a direct extension to the two pieces of wisdom that Pops shared with us: relax and have faith.
In the moment he shared with the skunk family, Pops took time out of his work to appreciate his surroundings, smile, and relax. When he did this, he felt a deep connection with his belief in God. This was a powerful moment for him that still brings him immense joy today.
When we asked Pops what wisdom he would like to share with future generations, I was surprised with the simplicity of his answer. It would seem like common sense that we should relax and have faith. But then I realized how difficult it is to do these things in our fast-paced lifestyle which is filled with scientific advancements. We feel the need to have an answer to everything and are on a quest to find it.
Taking a moment to step back and put your trust in a power greater than yourself, takes quite the burden off of your shoulders and also gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty that life has for all of us.
When my mom suggested this interview with Pops, I will admit that I was skeptical and didn't see much of a point. Now however, I am very thankful for the opportunity. I feel more connected to my grandpa, more appreciative of all that he is done, and a little wiser thanks to all of the information that he shared.
