Читать книгу Bedtime Stories for the Child in You - Louise D. Jewell - Страница 10

Photo of Grandpa Max, Baby Louise and Grandma Louise

I don’t recall my grandpa ever saying a word to me or anyone else, for that matter.

Grandpa Max was deaf. We’re talking stone deaf. So much so, that he lost a few fingers on the power saw.

Why was that? Grandpa had this habit of forgetting to turn off the saw motor.

He rarely spoke. And he never scribbled his thoughts on paper either. You see, Grandpa was illiterate.

And even if he had written down his thoughts, Grandma would not have understood. That’s because Grandma could not read or write either.

Okay, so we settled that. My Grandpa Max never spoke to me.

And yet, here I am, answering the question, what words of wisdom did your grandfather leave you with?

When you know you are cherished, you don’t need words to tell you that someone cares.

When you feel safe and secure with someone, they don’t have to whisper sweet nothings in your ear.

When you leave their presence and still smell the fragrance of acceptance, it is all you need. It is music to your ears.

No words and yet much wisdom.

What was Grandpa’s wise message to me? Here is what lingers still.

• Be true.

• Be kind.

• Be generous.

• Be thankful. And last but not least,

• Walk with integrity.

Thank you, Grandpa Max.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear

and the blind can see.

~ Mark Twain