Don't have time to read this short story? Listen to my audio version here --> my grandpa was everything to me.mp3
Growing up I listened to my grandfather tell stories. He had a story for everything. No matter what the topic was, he found a way to tell it with such enthusiasm like he was telling it for the first time every time. And he told the same stories many times over lol.
As I grew older, I noticed my dad did the same thing. I was captivated by how they told stories and I always wished I had the same gift. For me growing up, I had trouble getting the words that were in my head out through my mouth.
However, when I started writing, everything just seemed to flow. If I made a mistake or it didn’t sound right, I could just erase it and rewrite it how I wanted.
Oddly enough, writing my stories made me a better storyteller in person, too. I’m still not perfect at the art of storytelling, but it’s something I’m really trying to work on to be as good as my pap and dad.
I also noticed that when my pap would tell stories, I could relate in some way or another. I definitely wasn’t there for a lot of his stories, but he made it feel as if I was there with him each time.
I had a special connection with him simply because he shared stories. Whether they were sad, funny, or a combination of both, I felt comfortable enough to just sit there and listen. He had such a laid back personality and didn’t get worked up too often. I have a very similar personality, which made it easy for us to connect.
After his recent passing, I had to do a lot of reflecting. One thing I realized, though, is that sadness and pain weren’t the most prominent emotions. With him, there was no real suffering. He had simply gotten old and passed away at home with family right by his side.
It wasn’t sudden and I had time to spend with him and hear stories before he left - for which, I’m most grateful.
Those are the memories I can’t help but think of. They make me smile more than I could have ever imagined.
So as I sit here and think back on all the stories he shared with me I can only hope to give you part of that gift as well. Because of his ability to share stories, we connected in a very special way. One of my goals is to connect with you that way too.
I completely get that this is an email coming from my coaching business, but I have always thought that the last thing I want to do is for people to just get another automated email that doesn’t have a meaningful connection.
If I could go my entire life without making another sale and simply making you feel important because of a story I told, then I would choose the meaningful email every time.
That’s the goal of my business, it’s the main goal of this email now, and honestly - isn't that the goal of humanity?
So next time you hear me share another one of my many stories (whether they're awkward or my jokes aren't funny - as my girlfriend would say), you have my grandfather to thank. He truly was (and still is) one of my biggest idols. Because of him and his near 60 year marriage to my grandmother, he showed me my entire life that love with one person could last into old age.
He showed me that when I laugh, it’s always best to laugh with my whole body.
He showed me that as powerful as storytelling is, listening intently can have even more of an impact.
Because of the sacrifices he made throughout his life, the least I can do is be the hardest working person in the room and make this world a better place for the rest of my life so that the lessons he passed down to me are meaningful.
