At first I did not know what they were talking about until I took a look at where they were working, on the factory line, then they pointed it that the supervisors and managers were all wearing long sleeve shirts. This was their way of making sure that my education was not wasted. So as much as I may try not to be a leader, I can't run from it as it is what I had been taught to be.
I was reflecting on a day when my cousin and I allowed some of the neighborhood kids to talk us into losing our minds (Fighting one another in front of our grandparents home, when GRANDDADDY was there). The advice from that day stuck with me as well as the beating that we got. This was the one and only time that I can recall my Grandfather beating me like I just stole something from him. But back to the advice that he gave us, he explained that no matter what happened in the world we were family and we had to have each others back. We were to be honest with each other and pull the other up when they fell. This was the rungs on a ladder speech. Now if you had ever met my Grandfather, you would not have heard him give too many speeches, especially about family. For he had cut us off from the family that he did not like. So I make sure that when I vacate a rung, that my hand is out to help the next person climb the ladder. You must build success so that others can follow you as well as allow them to learn from your mistakes. Mentoring is never wasted on those that want it. He also pointed out that friends come and go, but family are the only ones that will be there when the going is hard or you have nothing at all but the clothes on your back. This was pretty heavy for a 8-9 year old to grasp. But as you can image, when a man of few words decide to share, you need to hold on to them with all the life you have.
I never thought about what little education that my Grandparents had because of the way that they focused on making sure that we stayed in school. When I was a pre-teen and thought that I know everything there was out there, I started to skip classes and school. My Grandfather found me at home watching TV, no beating, no major lecture. He just wanted me to know that he was there for me whenever I needed him and that there was nothing that I could ever do that was new and a surprise to him, so I use that same line on my children today. knowledge is not something that you should throw away, whereas some of your knowledge is obtained through formal education, the bulk is a life-lesson that you could pay dearly for if you aren't careful.
What legacy do you stand on? I stand on one that is full of courage, love and truth.
"May your mind never become a dull playground"
