Grandparent stories contest entry: @moon-city

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(Edited)

I was 12 years old when I first met my grandpa. My mom and dad strictly told us to put on our best behavior and gave us a quick overview of rules to follow for the night. I mistakenly assumed that my grandpa was going to look like a stout, jolly, white bearded man who would be very easy going and full of banters. The rules of grandpas place were the following:

This is what I pictured my grandpa would look like 🤣

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Photo by Markus Spiske

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1. Follow a seating plan at the dining table. We must never sit on the host's seat since grandpa sits there.

2. Speaking in an informal language is discouraged.

3. Maintain elegance of all forms when greeting, talking, eating, laughing and walking.

For the most part, my parents were comfortable that the dinner party would go smoothly with the exception of me. I had a reputation for stirring the pot and making messes. My grandpa was a 6 feet tall man with a stern face and an athletic build. He was a former pilot with a white moustache and shiny white hair. He loved his routines and was not afraid to give practical advises. When other family members tried to impress him with their refined knowledge, his pragmatic approach would leave the audience with new questions and approaches.

A lot of rules were broken that night. I ignored the seating plan and sat on my grandpa’s chair until he walked in and cleared his throat which is when I took it as my cue to change seats. I was cutting chicken with a knife and fork like my dad taught me when suddenly my knife slipped and sent the piece of chicken flying in the air hitting my grandpa's dignified face and leaving a little trail of bbq sauce. He maintained his composure meanwhile I got a death stare from my parents meanwhile my siblings tried to hide their giggles.

The stiff household soon became more relaxed as I found my grandpa's collection of hidden board games and asked guests to join in and play. It was at this moment when my grandpa pulled me aside to have a talk. I thought I was in trouble but he simply lectured me about the importance of pragmatism and staying focused, dedicated and consistent with routine and trying out new things. At the same time, he laughed about the flying chicken and told me that he has learned something from me and that is the importance of being light-hearted and creative instead of being tied down by rules and structures.

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Photo by chuttersnap

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My memory of this moment ignited when I experienced my first burnout 3 years ago. I was following the footsteps of my parents and grandfather to do the things which were expected of me while maintaining routines, structure and a practical approach. I had changed a lot. I was no longer the light-hearted person I used to remember being.

I was doing too many things which were not feeding my soul. It was at this time, I remembered my conversation with him. My grandpa left me with a profound message of staying balanced. He admitted that his tough demeanor was not sustainable and an excessively carefree approach would be like a man happily riding a ship with no sense of direction or destination. I decided to take a step back and reignite the hobbies and creative endeavors which I used to enjoy as a child. My grandpa reinforced the message of staying in the middle of the spectrum and thanks to him, I didn't spiral down too deep into a mess and possible mental deterioration. His message stays deeply embedded within me.

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Photo by Samuel Francis Johnson

I wanted to include a picture of my grandpa but I felt that it was not right to do so until I could get his permission so I decided to leave it out in hopes of staying respectful towards him.

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Fabulous post @moon-city! I died laughing. I can picture the whole scene. I had no idea that you were a pot stirrer from age 12, but I'm not surprised. 😂

You've woven it all together very well, wonderful story and the images you chose fit so well. Love the whole bit around the first one, Grandpa Santa 😁😅

I wish you the best of luck!

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Thank you so much Nine! Glad you were able to stop by despite your hectic schedule! Hahahaha I did start stirring pots thst young 🤣 but grew out of it a bit.

I am glad you enjoyed the pictures. I wanted to use a meme for one of the parts but when I put the markdown on there, it was messing up with the text below it even after I fixed it (oh well, I will use it another time).

I look forward to reading what you come up with!😉

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Hectic schedule

From what I've seen, your pot stirring has become tempered nicely.

Oh markdown and the joys thereof. I hear you there. There's always more opportunities and if there isn't one, well, you create one. 😜

Thanks, it's up now.😅😂😁

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LOL Nine I think that song has become your national anthem 🤣.

Absolutely agree with you about markdown! There will be another occasion to use it perhaps

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🤣🤣🤣 I work best under pressure (favourite pressure application is self-pressure). 😉😂

Good choice of gif, that's what I'm doing today. 😂

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Excellent post friend, I really liked your work, greetings. Thanks for sharing ❤️

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Thank you so much! Hope you have a pleasant day 😊

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I read this while was going to sleep. I forgot to comment earlier.
Hmm your grandpa sounds like he was very strict but found his inner child because of you.
That dinner scene was quite funny.

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Hahahhaha sofs-su its all good. Sometimes I end up doing the same thing with posts. I read them before sleeping and make a mental note to comment the next day. Yes he did have a strict reputation and I think everyone around him also ended up encouraging that but I am glad he became easy-going later on.

Thank you for stopping by 🤗

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That is what a child can do even to the hardened of heart.. just melt their heart with their childlike innocence. (no I don't mean your grandpa was hardened of heart)

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Absolutely agree with you! Hahahah don't worry I didn't misunderstand what you meant 🤗🤗.

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(Edited)

I know you won't but I don't like hurting people. Thanks a ton for that assurance. ♥️

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No worries at all! @sofs-su
You definitely have good intentions and it has been a pleasure to meet you 🤗༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ(✿◕‿◕✿)

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and the feeling is mutual 🤗🤗🤗🤗

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This was an awesome story! thanks for sharing!

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Mind blowing post i must admit. But i still insist you take that photo of your grandpa and include the photo(winks).

Posted via proofofbrain.io

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Thank you for stopping by! @driplord

Today, I will try to find his photos after looking through a mountain of photographs 🤣

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Yours is one of those ones you know? Where I need to drop by and give a personal thank you. Thank you.

There was 50 something of these entries, I had to consider a lot of factors. Yours was one that made deciding difficult, I'm glad you entered. I wrote a note next to yours, "authentic, like I was sitting at the table."

💖

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Dandays thank you so much for stopping by. Wow 50 entries is quite a lot! I am sure judging them in a timely manner was no easy task.

I am glad that you found it authentic. Being a decent story teller online is something I still need to work on. :)

I think my grandfather was misunderstood here and there. He was a creaturs of habit and rules but there were small moments when he showed a different side.

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When dudes were working for me I would say how it doesn't matter who it is, me or them, we could do a million big things but it doesn't matter when it's the little things nobody will forget.

That and 'you will make a name for yourself, it's inevitable, whether it's a respectable name is up to you.'

I had several of them I know this doesn't have a whole lot to do with grandparents but when I get to bla bla bla bla bla I'm like bla bla bla thumbs! Get ahold bla bla of yourself!

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That and 'you will make a name for yourself, it's inevitable, whether it's a respectable name is up to you.'

I couldn't agree more with this. Ultimately, it is upon us. I will keep this in mind.

Get ahold bla bla of yourself!

LOL it is all good. You are always a box of joy to talk with Dandays. not to call you a box here

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