I’ve given Brian the week off here, and instead I’m going to share some life lessons taught to me by a man who, by the time you read this, very well may be sailing on to his next adventure. My dad, Bob, is nearly 88 years old, and failing quickly. He has had a great, full life, no question. He was only too happy to share lessons with those he knew and those he loved. Here are but a few (I could fill a book) that have helped me, and I would hope they would help you, too:
- “Learn as much about as many things as possible and stay intellectually alert.” – His thirst for knowledge knew no bounds.
- “Go ahead and fill your glass.” – He never saw it as half empty, always half full, and he never quit trying to make it brim.
- “Self-pity is a luxury none of us can afford.” – I try not to waste time and energy feeling sorry for myself in any situation. It seems a waste of energy.
- “Why worry about that which you cannot control?” – He lived it to the best of his ability, and I do, as well.
He has been a steadfastly loyal husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, advisor and friend to many. That will be rewarded somewhere along the line, I have to believe. He gave me a love of sailing, music, photography, comedy and Ohio State football.
As my favorite songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, once wrote: “He’s somewhere on the ocean now/The place he ought to be/One hand on the starboard rail/And he’s waving back at me.”
I consider myself enriched. Maybe you will, too.
It’s been a lovely cruise. Sail on, Old Salt.
Steve Greenberg is a co-owner and executive vice president/general manager of Current Publishing. You may e-mail him at steve@youarecurrent.com.