‘A young man, 24 years old, successful, hard-working. He went to dinner with his grandparents one evening at their request.
The three of them sat down at the table, ordered drinks, and started chatting.
Soon, the waiter came by to check-in. But no one was ready to order just yet.
As they continued their conversation, the Grandmother asked the young man what motivated him to work so hard.
“You really want to know?” the young man responded.
“Yes, of course,” she replied with a big smile on her face.
“I want to make you and Grandpa proud of me,” the young man replied.
“Are you proud of me, Grandpa?”
His grandfather paused, straightening the tablecloth in front of him.
“I can’t answer that,” the grandfather said coldly.
The young man, overtaken with emotion, continued to ask his grandfather, “Why aren’t you proud of me? What more can I do?”
His Grandmother chimed in, trying to soothe the situation. “Joe, tell him you are proud of him,” she pleaded. “Tell him!”
“I simply cannot,” the grandfather said, straightening his tie. “I don’t have the context to tell him that.”
The young man, stunned, shaking, started crying inconsolably, catching some looks from the other restaurant patrons. Then, he collected himself somewhat, looked at his grandfather, and said, “Well, if there is nothing I can do to make you proud of me, there is only one thing I can do.”
And he got up, thanked them for the drinks, and walked out the door.
Their relationship changed forever, and so did the course of the young man’s life, a defining moment.
That young man was me.
I must tell my children ten times a day how much I love and appreciate them, how proud I am. They don’t need to ask me, and I definitely don’t pause before I answer.
My kids will never doubt that – they’ll always feel my love and pride.
Now, I most certainly spoil them. I realize that. I try and protect them as much as I can – probably to a fault – of coddling them at times.
But I still think that’s better than them ever feeling what I did that day.
People want to be appreciated, loved, and thanked. They want to hear – verbally or by showing them some other way – that they are special.
Our family, friends, and even clients desire that feeling, honestly and delivered with vulnerability, of course.
And I’m here to remind you that it’s never too late to give that to them.
As we close out another year and prepare for the start of one more trip around the sun, try to keep in mind that one good thing or one good deed will bring on another and another.
Happiness and appreciation are contagious.
So, be the one who initiates that chain of positivity and kindness.
Don’t be the grandfather in this story. Don’t hesitate. Don’t wait. Don’t hold back.
Perhaps try and take a little time to be the better version, as a lot is riding on it – not only their lives, but the lives of their families, their kids, and on and on.
For before you know it, that young man will be all grown up and still trying to figure it all out.
Happy New Year, happy holidays, and may 2024 be your best year yet!
-J.D.