Living with Determination

I learned a lesson from my grandfather today about not giving up and of truly living.  


After receiving word that he had just a few hours ago lost his balance, fallen, and cracked his hip, the family all went on 'Grandpa watch' to see what, if anything, we could do to help.  While waiting for news from the hospital of if surgery was even an option being that he is 90 years old, I reached for my laptop and found the video interview that I recorded of Grandpa in 2009.  In the video and after some discussion about his parents, his struggles with being handicapped (one arm had been injured during birth and never fully developed), and losing his father at the tender age of 8 months, the topic turned a little lighter with the question of his favorite memories as a child.


His face brightened up a bit as he began to describe the time he spent with the scouts in rural Illinois and of a particular outing where they were doing some rock climbing.  He, although having only one usable hand, was determined to climb a rock cliff just like the rest of the boys. He tackled the cliff head on, climbing up part way but losing grip and falling to the ground.  Slightly hurt but no with no less vigor, he got up, brushed off his hand and went for the cliff again.  One, two, three feet up the cliff he climbed but again, fell to the ground.  By now, the counselor who was supervising the boys said "Norm, you are not going to be able to make it up that cliff. You better stop before you get really hurt." Stubborn and strong headed, he ignored that advice and attempted it again.


One foot at a time, one grasp, scratch and push after another, he moved up the slope further than he had the previous climbs.  But, again, he fell to the ground and bruised his body enough to where the counselor said he was not allowed to attempt it again.  Although disappointed, he complied with the counselor's order and looked up as the other boys continued to climb and reach the peak.  They waved down at him from the top and he waved back, happy with their accomplishment, but underneath felt that it is not fair that, although he had equal or more determination than the other boys, he was not allowed to reach his desired destination.


Through his life grandpa has attempted to climb and has fallen down many cliffs; the first being at birth when he was damaged by the doctor, the second was being told he could not be an architect due to his handicap, the third being declared 'dead' during a previous surgery.  He got back up from each of those falls, dusted himself off, and kept on pushing for what he wanted. He came back from those by being a strong and capable husband, successful and influential businessman,  and returned to life from his 'death' to declare that he knew his 'purpose' of continuing life was to care for my grandmother for what turned out to be another 20 years. 


Now, with a hip cracked in three areas and surgery scheduled for 8AM, he is about to climb another rocky cliff. This cliff is no less daunting than the others, and he is no less determined.  His hip is shot, the surgery is risky, and when asked if they should use all measures to resuscitate in the event of a problem he said "Do everything you can, I still have to be there for my wife".  When asked further about his decision, he replied "If caring for her was not my purpose for life, I wouldn't have cared to come back to life 20 years ago when I died on that table.  I am most certainly not going to give up now." With that statement he fell into a deep sleep under the command of the pain medication.


Maybe in this climb he will reach his goal at the summit, recover from this injury and survive long enough to outlive my grandmother. Or maybe this will be another failed attempt in which he will fall and be 'told' by God that he has had enough attempts and will not be 'allowed' to continue to try again.  Either way, Grandpa has tried his hardest, defied the many words of 'advice' from those who have told him to give up, and in the process has already reached his summit...being the example of success through determination.