Note: I’m writing a note of gratitude on the blog each day in November leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. My hope is that these posts will inspire you to do the same. Write an email, Facebook post, or a text to tell people they have made an impact on you. Gratitude is contagious. 

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If you haven’t caught on yet, I have been fortunate in so many ways in my life. Another example is that as a man in my forties, I still have two grandparents in my life. My mom’s parents, Bob and Lois, are both in their nineties today and I’m so grateful to have had so many years with them so far.

My grandparents are two of the most positive and loving people I’ve ever met. They have been amazing role models for our family for what a healthy relationship looks like.

I always knew that my grandma and grandpa loved me growing up because they always made time to be with me (and all of their other grandkids). They understood time was the currency of relationships and they invested heavily in us.

My grandpa was a postmaster in the postal service for decades. He introduced me to stamp collecting as a child and the two of us spent hours and hours cutting, soaking, and sorting stamps together.

My grandparents introduced me to golf on their small rural Iowa golf course. When I think back on it now, I’m sure it had to be maddening at times for them to take my cousins and me out golfing. I wasn’t very good and didn’t have a lot of patience for getting better. But, I don’t ever remember my grandparents losing patience with me on the course. I only remember joy and fun.

They always seemed so happy just to be with us. That is still true to this day.

Over the past decade, I’ve had a number of great conversations with my grandparents about the past and about their story. Through that, I’ve learned how it came to be they don’t hold grudges and choose to forgive easily. They know that life is too short and relationships are too precious to waste on petty arguments. They saw others make this mistake early in their lives and vowed not to repeat that same mistake.

I hope to someday live up to the example that my grandparents have set for me.

Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for loving me, supporting me, and showing me what it means to live a happy, positive life. You have set such a great example for all of us in the family and beyond. I’m so grateful for all of the time you’ve shared with me throughout my life. I love you.