Page 31 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Spring 2022 - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
Notes to My

Grandchildren

Compiled By Barbara Mandry

Among the musty, fragile keepsakes our children’s Avoid hate and envy. These
grandfather* left for them was a personal letter are corrosive acids that will eat you
addressed to “My Grandchildren.” It was a six-page, alive. Do not allow them to penetrate
single-spaced note from another grandfather* to your heart or mind. “Plural hate” Inspiration
those he loved “with all my heart”. He was dying, is especially deadly. Love others
and his note’s purpose was clearly stated: to “give regardless of their differences. Oh,
you a running head start” on what took him over and don’t forget: God made men and
six decades to learn. He lovingly stated the obvious. women different, and that is a good
“When you are young, you have little idea how much thing.
grief and heartache there is in the world. Remember,
always be kind.” No one escapes this life without Be thankful. We live in the
facing some problems. This grandfather carefully greatest country on earth. Do not be
composed his words of wisdom with an optimistic embarrassed to honor it.
message in hopes of helping his grandchildren better
survive. In this time of immediate gratification and Give generously. Reject the
instant messages, his note is truly note-worthy. concept that wealth is evil. The
good fruits from your labor are
To summarize: opportunities to help others.
Put GOD first – even in those times you think you
know it all. You don’t. You still need GOD. No matter Do not allow yourself to
how independent and capable you are, you always become prideful.
need Him!
Do not lose your zeal. “The
Choices matter! A loving GOD created you to greatest achievements are not made
choose. by the smartest people, but by the
• Choose your mate, your life’s career, your most zealous.”
friends, and your pleasures wisely. Falling into
lust is easy. Falling in love requires time and Finally, remember that you
commitment. The right mate can impact your can make a difference. One
entire life. single individual can change the
• Choose a career that brings you joy. If your life’s world, good, bad, or indifferent.
work is not fueled with passion and purpose, you Adolf Hitler and Mother Teresa are
will come to dread it. such examples.
• True friends are a gift from GOD. Practice being
a good friend. And remember to tell those friends Plus, with GOD, you are never
and family how much you love them – often. alone.
• Hard work with integrity is a good choice, an
attribute “acquired over decades.” Age 60 is
too late to choose it. Start young working with
excellence.
• But also remember, “Do not over-defer *Tom N. Mandry was the grandfather who left this note for our children.
We don’t know his association with the author, James C. McCormick,
gratification.” All hard work and no play are not but we know he valued the wisdom in the long and detailed note of
wise choices either – embrace balance. admonition and encouragement.

Amarillo Senior Link 31