Grandfather Note

My grandfather loves:

• • Orderly things:

    • 1. Lists

      2. Diagrams

      3. Charts

      4. Blueprints

      5. His methods of organisation:

         1. Every cord and wire labelled with a post-it.

         2. Three different calendars on the same wall.

         3. Note cards and pens in his shirt pocket.

         4. A place for everything, and everything in its place.

• His grandchildren:

  • • 1. Myself, ten years old.

      2. Charlie Tarbox, a year older than me.

      3. Mark and Jam Monette, two and four years older than me.

      4. Wilson Hall, three years younger than me.

• His home:

  • • 1. A warm house, with shag carpeted floors and cushioned recliners.

      2. Located in the sleepy town of Mystic, Connecticut.

• The sounds of the Mystic countryside tonight:

  • • 1. Crickets.

      2. The highway, deeper in the woods.

      3. The television downstairs, playing baseball.

      4. The sounds of the steps creaking.

      5. The patter of slippers on the carpet.

• Telling stories to me before bedtime:

  • • 1. About the wacky kids on his high school football team, and how they used to go up against the wealthy schools from the city.

      2. About the summer at the ice cream parlour, where he played pranks on nasty customers.

      3. About being the first in his family to go to college.

      4. About dropping out of college to join the navy.

      5. About the things he did on the submarines:

         1. Such as fighting pirates.

         2. Catching Soviet spies.

         3. About spending months away from home.

      6. About mathematical puzzles and wonders.

      7. About business and the larger world.

      8. About the wonders of the mundane.

      9. About age and experience and remaining humble.

      10. About money and about politics and about all of the nuances of debate.

• Singing songs to me as I fall asleep, tuckered out after a long day:

  • • 1. “The Peanut Sat on the Railroad Track”

      2. “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”

      3. “Billy Boy”

• Teaching me things when we spend time together:

  • • 1. That I am fortunate to have the life that I do.

      2. That a work ethic is key to my future.

      3. That humility and wit will win anyone over.

      4. That imagination is important at all stages of your life.

I am thankful for my grandfather and for the lessons he has taught me. I strive to be like him one day: a wise and composed man with compassion and imagination.