Grumpa (me as a new grandfather) is a reformed workaholic who had spent most of his life chasing success and accumulating material possessions. However, as he grew older, he realized that he had missed out on the simple joys of life that money could not buy. He longed to connect with something deeper and more meaningful, and that is when he started spending Thursdays with his first grandson Luke. Through Luke’s innocent and curious eyes, Grumpa learned to see the world in a new light all over again for the first time. He realized that life was not about accumulating wealth or achievements, but about cherishing the moments we have with the people we love. Wealth and achievements are nice, but not THE most important. He learned to slow down and appreciate the little things in life, like the warmth of the sun on his face, the sound of the birds chirping as the wind blows through the trees on a walk, and the laughter of a child.
Grumpa also learned that the best things in life were free, like sharing with a loved one the swinging on swings, dancing silly dances, building sandcastles, and throwing stones in a pond. These simple pleasures brought more joy and fulfillment than any material possession ever could. He learned to cherish the moments spent with his grandson, knowing that time was the most precious gift he could give. As they explored the world together, Grumpa also discovered that he had much to learn from his grandson. Luke’s uninhibited sense of wonder and adventure reminded Grumpa that life was meant to be lived with curiosity and enthusiasm. He learned to let go of his inhibitions and embrace the joys of spontaneity and play.
Through these Thursdays with Luke (and now with his brother Jack – alias “Beef” pictured above), Grumpa discovered that the most important things in life were not things at all. They were the love and connection we share with others, the memories we create, and the lessons we learn along the way. He learned that life was about being present in the moment and embracing the beauty and simplicity of the world around us.
Grumpa’s Thursdays with Luke taught him some valuable life lessons. He learned to appreciate the simple things in life, to cherish the moments spent with loved ones, to let go of material possessions and embrace the joys of play, and to see the world with a sense of wonder and curiosity. These lessons transformed his life and gave him a newfound sense of purpose and meaning. He realized that, in the end, it was the moments shared with those we love that truly mattered.
My Thursdays with Luke are much like the award-winning author Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie https://www.mitchalbom.com/books/tuesdays-with-morrie/. Instead of the life lessons taught by a dying professor, Morrie on Tuesday, I am learning life lessons the past few years, taught by my 3-year-old “professor” Luke, on Thursdays, as he experiences the world for the first time. I experienced many firsts in my Leap Year of Firsts. I now get to experience many of my life-long firsts all over again, through the eyes of my grandson. Thursdays have come to be my classroom as I learn to be present and spend time with Luke.