05.28.08
On Grandpa Time
I recently went to Laughlin, NV, with my 93-year-old grandpa and his girlfriend who’s 20 years younger. (Yes, Grandpa is quite the character.)
I always have a good time with Grandpa because he is such a character (on top of everything else, he was a very successful business man so it’s always interesting to talk to him). However, it’s not always easy for me to spend time with him. Why? Because we’re moving at two different speeds.
You see, here’s the thing about people in their nineties – they move very slowly. Nothing is fast. Grandpa especially likes to take his time. Some of my earliest memories are of my Grandma yelling at him to hurry up, and Grandpa responding by slowing down even more.
Now, while I’m fairly certain Grandpa was simply yanking Grandma’s chain back then, I think because he did that for so many years, he’s even SLOWER because of it.
I, on the other hand, move very quickly. People who know me will tell you I think fast, talk fast and move fast (especially when I get excited about what I’m doing).
So when Grandpa and I get together, we’re operating on opposite ends of the speed spectrum. The difference is, at his age, Grandpa is incapable of speeding up whereas I do have the ability to slow down.
And slow down I do.
At first, it’s hard for me. Especially during meals. I’m basically done eating and all he’s done is arrange his silverware and stir his coffee. (I’ll admit I do eat fast but not THAT fast.) Then we continue to sit there when we’re done eating. On more then one occasion I’ve said to him: “Grandpa, we’ve been at breakfast so long the restaurant is getting ready for lunch. We have to leave.”
But, the longer I’m with him, the easier it gets. After a day or 2, I can sit there and relax and enjoy taking my time.
It’s a true gift, being with Grandpa. After a few days, I can return to my sped-up world refreshed and rejuvenated.
Since he is 93, I know my days with him are numbered, so the gift of spending time with him and letting myself slow down has become even more precious. As much as he enjoys being with me, I know I’m the lucky one because I’m been given this gift of moving slow.
