Granddaddy's Advice

When I watch Eric move, I see myself. He can't seem to make it from one side of the house to the other without hitting a wall, stubbing a toe, or causing himself some kind of pain. As he walked past me recently and managed to scrape his foot, I said to him, "Be careful with your body. You only get one." And a memory hit me like a ton of bricks.

When I was about  6 yrs old my granddaddy finished writing his life story. He had it bound into books and gave one to each of his children and grandchildren with a note from him inside. By that time in my life I had been the proud wearer of 4 different casts one on each appendage of my body and had mastered the use of crutches. They called me Evil Kneivel...and it wasn't a compliment. Granddaddy was a doctor by profession and I imagine he cringed each time my Mom called to tell about another one of my escapades. I remember specifically having this note read to me.  I remember wondering why in the world Granddaddy thought it important to leave me this advice.  Here is a copy of the note he wrote to me.

 

I love Granddaddy's writing.

The entire thing, save the expressions of love, is about taming my nature to protect my body.  "Be careful, learn to avoid risk and danger that you may protect your body which is so important to you to be able to do all the things you were born to accomplish."  Those words ring true, now.  And now I'm trying to convince my own child of their importance.