I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List show but I love her. Yes, it is “adult language” and topics so those of you who don’t like that would really not like this show or her act in general. But if you have a chance, this episode where she prepares to go on a Rosie O’Donnell cruise is very touching.
Her parents have been a big part of her D-List show and in this episode, it feels odd to call it that when it is so raw and personal but it is reality TV, her father passes away. He was a funny funny guy and reminds me a bit of my grandfather with his say what comes to mind approach and his upbeat personality. Even when he passed he asked to have golf on the TV and to have control. The thing that is so hard is watching Kathy deal with it on camera. The performer side of her has to go on but the pain is just so real.
I’ll be honest… I’m heading to see my grandfather tomorrow and this is one of my worst fears. What’s going to happen on the day I get that call? He’s had a great run (he’s ~94 yrs old) but if I could trade 20 years of my life to have him for another 20 it wouldn’t even be a question (as long as it didn’t require surgery… you know, I’d want that pill that takes from one and gives to another… 
).
As a side note- I lived with my grandfather for 10 years after college when I was spiriling out of control, had no idea what to do, and no real aspirations. He was there for me and we became really close over the years. I was lucky to have that kind of time where before I thought it was great to see him for a bit each summer and maybe at Christmas. It became so normal to have him around that when Alice and I bought a house we picked one about 7 miles East from her folks and 7 miles West from my grandfather. It was really cool for me as an “adult” to have that sense of family all around. Sunday dinners with her folks at our place and weekly dinners and all the holidays with grandfather.
Anyway- I hate the whole topic of mortality. I don’t want to think ahead to any of this but it is a reality. But, I’ll just make sure and tell people I love them and never leave with unsettled issues.
I also need to try and do more than just focus on work. Yes, I want to work hard and I know that makes my family proud to see what I do but in the end, the job will just have been a job. They give vacation time for a reason and I need to take advantage fo that to get back home and see the family and to see my nephews grow up!
The 1k connections on LinkedIn and all the friends on Facebook won’t buy you another minute. (But if you want to add me to either network I’d be happy to accept the link!)