Hi Joseph,
By the time you read this, considerable time has passed. I gave this gift to the care of your wonderful parents – to mark your first birthday.
This present is a bit unique in that it is meant to be a link between you – and your family’s heritage. This is part of your legacy and life advice — something to hold onto as you grow.
This present may mean nothing but, “What is this about?” when you first receive it.
My feeling is that, like most people, you will someday wonder a bit about your family’s history – and realize that you are a composite of your parents, your grandparents, and even your great grandparents. That realization is a beautiful part of self growth and self esteem — knowing where you come from helps you know who you are.
It is with that intuition, that I give to you a physical link – along with an explanation. You may consider it an interesting little sliver of your heritage. This is exactly why wisdom from grandparents (and great-grandparents) matters — because we give you the stories you didn’t know you needed.
Now, you have the present (at least ½ of it) in your hand – and I bet that you have a puzzled look on your face, wondering – “What the heck is this?” That puzzled look is actually the importance of curiosity in life waking up inside you.
Here is the story – and there is some historical significance to it.
To start at the beginning, when I was 19- I longed to see some of the world, and have some adventure. So, I joined the army for a three year enlistment. That was the start of my own self improvement journey — seeking adventure, growth, and experience.
I did indeed see some of the world – and had a boatload of experiences that I have cherished all my life.
But this gift is relevant to only one specific event. In 1961 I was in a small army unit in Metz, France. I was not a combat soldier; I actually worked in an office type of environment called the Orderly Room.
The world was pretty much at peace at that time – and the Orderly Room personnel consisted of a grizzled old MSgt. named Clancy – and two young soldiers (including me)
Sgt Clancy was a combat veteran; he fought in WWII and in one particularly well known encounter named the “The Battle of the Bulge”
He was a tough old guy – and anyone who angered him did so at their own peril.
Well, we worked harmoniously together for the better part of two years.
One morning he called a special formation (very, very unusual) and informed us that the Russians had built a wall around West Berlin – thereby isolating it from that part of Germany. It appeared that our peaceful existence was about to end and he was preparing us emotionally for war.
That was one of those moments that one never forgets. These are the life lessons for grandchildren that can’t be taught in any classroom — only lived and passed down.
However, war did not come – and our peaceful existence resumed after a short while.
Well, to move ahead many years – now we look at 1989. We had a foreign exchange student from Germany – and we were sitting on the couch watching on TV the dismantling of the Berlin Wall – a truly historic event.
I asked our guest to send me a piece of the demolished wall when he returned to Germany. He did, and this is it. You are holding in your hands a piece of history! This moment also shows developing curiosity in children — because I was curious, I asked, and I received.
And, one other item….
I have been very fortunate in that I have been to many parts of the world – and have many pictures and mementoes. The most impactful of them all is a letter – this letter – that Sgt Clancy sent me.
He rotated back to the states a few months before I did, and sent me this letter. Of all my mementoes, this is my most prized.
It illustrates the bond between soldiers who serve together – reaching across generations. He was easily old enough to have been my father and he was a battle hardened combat veteran. I never fired a round in anger – and yet he took the time to write a letter to me, and even invited me to visit his family on my way home from my tour of duty. That is emotional intelligence and curiosity in action — a tough soldier showing kindness across generations.
So, my dear Joseph – here is a tiny sliver of your family’s heritage: A telling of the time that your Great Grand Father heard of the momentous erection of the infamous Berlin Wall, a piece of the wall itself, and a letter showing the human side of the soldier who informed us that fateful day of what was happening, and what could happen to our little post in France.
This is my inspirational letter to grandson — a letter you may not fully understand today, but one day it will land. These are character building lessons wrapped in history and love.
It is possible that I may not be around when your parents give this to you, but know that you have been loved for many years – and do ask your relatives for their stories. The world is a marvelous place, and each of your relatives has experienced a part of it. That is the truest personal development and mindset — staying curious, staying connected, and always honoring where you came from.
Your Loving Great Grandfather
Poppa
