Over the past week, my cousin Nicole and I visited sunny Hollywood, Florida. There, we stayed with my grandparents in their quaint condo in a retirement community Needless to say, this trip was an adventure. From placing bets on the lucky number 6 horse to learning how to play Canasta with the neighbors, every day had a new experience.
Before we even arrived, I knew that I wanted to interview at least one person in this community, because who can give life advice better than a bunch of grandmas and grandpas? I met tons of fascinating people throughout the duration of my stay, but 3 major people had the greatest influence on my stay, 2 of which I had the pleasure to interview. But before I begin, I must say that this interview was not easy to conduct. There were a total of 4 people being interviewed, 2 women and 2 men. These people will be stated as Grandma & Grandpa, Mim and Tony. All of these people are friends and were more than willing to have me interview them together. Between the endless stories provided by both Mim and my grandmother, the men only felt the need to briefly answer the questions because they knew the women would have something to say about their answers. Regardless, the questions were tricky and not able to be answered in a single sentence (or at least I thought). Here it goes:
1. What would you say was the happiest moment in your life?
Grandpa- There's too many.
Tony- Having my first child, my son. I was so excited to just hold him. The picture of me holding him is in my tool box !
Grandma- I don't have one specific moment. I guess I would have to say getting married, but that is for materialistic reasons. Then I realized that only the first year was okay (she said this jokingly). I also really liked buying my first house because at the time, living with 3 kids and having 4 bedrooms in a great area just showed me that my house, just like my life, actually did have potential and character.
Mim- Picking out one thing in a whole life time is difficult. I do find pride in grand-parenting because for the first time in what seems like a long time, you can just be the fun one, not the reprimanding one. I do have to say that happiness is superseding though. It has milestones, so you can never pick just one.
2. How do you find relief in tough situations?
Grandpa- Look in the fridge' for lunch.
Tony- I like being around nice people. It's very important for me to get along with everybody.
Grandma- I usually try to find out about all that is bothering me and then I attack it! Regardless of the situation, I need to understand everything about it.
Mim- I'm the same way. That's the thing, you have to dig till you find it. I'll find a way to fix it because I'm a fix it person.
3. Especially at your age, people get sick and pass away all too often. How do you cope with that? What thoughts cross your mind? Do you help someone that is sick?
Grandpa- No I don't help. The only thing I can say about that is you try to talk to the person, show concern. I don't think you can give too much advice because then you sound like a doctor, and you're not. You just let them know you're there if and when they need you.
Tony stays quiet. I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, so I just let him be.
Grandma- If I'm close to them, I absolutely offer help. If it is wanted, I will absolutely help to the fullest extent, because that is all you can do, offer help and support. As for what I think? It gives me a heavy heart, but at the same time I feel I should be diligent about examinations and my own health. Don't ever put things off because you never know when your last day may be.
Mim- You can't help but just project it on yourself (the negative emotions). But you must enjoy today. Enjoy your health and take care of it.
4. What determines someone as "old" or is age just a number?
Tony- Not being able to do things that I was able to do when I was younger. Mentally I feel young, but physically I feel 120 years old.
Grandpa- I agree with Tony. The mind wants to do it, but the thing that gets in the way of the mind is the body. It's frustrating.
Grandma- When you stop learning, doing, trying. Being negative is the killer.
Mim- Age is just a number. Personally, I don't think I think like a women is supposed to at my age. (She gave me her age, but everyone knows that a lady doesn't reveal her age).
Age is all about attitude. People need to realize that you adapt. If you have a task, and can do some of it, take that as a good sign. Even if it doesn't get completely done the first day, don't give up, because then you are just giving in and that's when you get old. It's when you lose your attitude and fire.
5. What do you think is the meaning of happiness?
Grandpa- Sitting by the pool in Florida, especially in winter. But really, happiness is being able to wake up and everything, your house, your family, your stability, is just "okay". That's happiness.
Tony- I'm especially happy when I'm among friends.
Grandma- I think I actually agree with Grandpa.
Mim- You have to be content with who you are and how you conduct your life. When you're older, you're not as judgmental because, I think it's like you know that people have lived through the same experiences and situations as you have. Disregard the petty shit and actually look at the person, they might actually be nice. Happiness comes from confidence in yourself, in your intuition.
6. Lastly, what is one piece of advice you can give someone?
Grandpa- Exert yourself, better yourself, educate yourself. If you're educating yourself, learn how to be a strong reader and speller. Read everything, because from reading comes knowledge on every other subject. Whatever you do, when you do something, be happy with what you're doing and really like what you're doing.
Tony- Be kind, be nice, and don't be a wise guy. Try to be the best person you can be.
Grandma- Live by the serenity prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Mim- "To thy own self be true." Don't be anybody you're not. If people can't accept you for you, forget them. Oh, and ALWAYS do one kind thing a day !
From this experience, I learned many things. One major one being that life is precious, and can be filled with joy, love and energy. All four of these people agreed on one thing, life is too short to be filled with worry and regret, so make it last. Although my grandfather is a man of few words, his point was clear, during a time of stress, go make sandwich, because nothing is that serious. Well readers, I hope you enjoyed this entry and learned a thing or two.
Before we even arrived, I knew that I wanted to interview at least one person in this community, because who can give life advice better than a bunch of grandmas and grandpas? I met tons of fascinating people throughout the duration of my stay, but 3 major people had the greatest influence on my stay, 2 of which I had the pleasure to interview. But before I begin, I must say that this interview was not easy to conduct. There were a total of 4 people being interviewed, 2 women and 2 men. These people will be stated as Grandma & Grandpa, Mim and Tony. All of these people are friends and were more than willing to have me interview them together. Between the endless stories provided by both Mim and my grandmother, the men only felt the need to briefly answer the questions because they knew the women would have something to say about their answers. Regardless, the questions were tricky and not able to be answered in a single sentence (or at least I thought). Here it goes:
1. What would you say was the happiest moment in your life?
Grandpa- There's too many.
Tony- Having my first child, my son. I was so excited to just hold him. The picture of me holding him is in my tool box !
Grandma- I don't have one specific moment. I guess I would have to say getting married, but that is for materialistic reasons. Then I realized that only the first year was okay (she said this jokingly). I also really liked buying my first house because at the time, living with 3 kids and having 4 bedrooms in a great area just showed me that my house, just like my life, actually did have potential and character.
Mim- Picking out one thing in a whole life time is difficult. I do find pride in grand-parenting because for the first time in what seems like a long time, you can just be the fun one, not the reprimanding one. I do have to say that happiness is superseding though. It has milestones, so you can never pick just one.
2. How do you find relief in tough situations?
Grandpa- Look in the fridge' for lunch.
Tony- I like being around nice people. It's very important for me to get along with everybody.
Grandma- I usually try to find out about all that is bothering me and then I attack it! Regardless of the situation, I need to understand everything about it.
Mim- I'm the same way. That's the thing, you have to dig till you find it. I'll find a way to fix it because I'm a fix it person.
3. Especially at your age, people get sick and pass away all too often. How do you cope with that? What thoughts cross your mind? Do you help someone that is sick?
Grandpa- No I don't help. The only thing I can say about that is you try to talk to the person, show concern. I don't think you can give too much advice because then you sound like a doctor, and you're not. You just let them know you're there if and when they need you.
Tony stays quiet. I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, so I just let him be.
Grandma- If I'm close to them, I absolutely offer help. If it is wanted, I will absolutely help to the fullest extent, because that is all you can do, offer help and support. As for what I think? It gives me a heavy heart, but at the same time I feel I should be diligent about examinations and my own health. Don't ever put things off because you never know when your last day may be.
Mim- You can't help but just project it on yourself (the negative emotions). But you must enjoy today. Enjoy your health and take care of it.
4. What determines someone as "old" or is age just a number?
Tony- Not being able to do things that I was able to do when I was younger. Mentally I feel young, but physically I feel 120 years old.
Grandpa- I agree with Tony. The mind wants to do it, but the thing that gets in the way of the mind is the body. It's frustrating.
Grandma- When you stop learning, doing, trying. Being negative is the killer.
Mim- Age is just a number. Personally, I don't think I think like a women is supposed to at my age. (She gave me her age, but everyone knows that a lady doesn't reveal her age).
Age is all about attitude. People need to realize that you adapt. If you have a task, and can do some of it, take that as a good sign. Even if it doesn't get completely done the first day, don't give up, because then you are just giving in and that's when you get old. It's when you lose your attitude and fire.
5. What do you think is the meaning of happiness?
Grandpa- Sitting by the pool in Florida, especially in winter. But really, happiness is being able to wake up and everything, your house, your family, your stability, is just "okay". That's happiness.
Tony- I'm especially happy when I'm among friends.
Grandma- I think I actually agree with Grandpa.
Mim- You have to be content with who you are and how you conduct your life. When you're older, you're not as judgmental because, I think it's like you know that people have lived through the same experiences and situations as you have. Disregard the petty shit and actually look at the person, they might actually be nice. Happiness comes from confidence in yourself, in your intuition.
6. Lastly, what is one piece of advice you can give someone?
Grandpa- Exert yourself, better yourself, educate yourself. If you're educating yourself, learn how to be a strong reader and speller. Read everything, because from reading comes knowledge on every other subject. Whatever you do, when you do something, be happy with what you're doing and really like what you're doing.
Tony- Be kind, be nice, and don't be a wise guy. Try to be the best person you can be.
Grandma- Live by the serenity prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Mim- "To thy own self be true." Don't be anybody you're not. If people can't accept you for you, forget them. Oh, and ALWAYS do one kind thing a day !
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| Mim |
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| Tony |
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| Grandma & Grandpa |
From this experience, I learned many things. One major one being that life is precious, and can be filled with joy, love and energy. All four of these people agreed on one thing, life is too short to be filled with worry and regret, so make it last. Although my grandfather is a man of few words, his point was clear, during a time of stress, go make sandwich, because nothing is that serious. Well readers, I hope you enjoyed this entry and learned a thing or two.
Until next week,
Olivia Gail
XOXO
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