by Ken Canfield, Ph.D.
Al Quie’s career included twenty years in Congress and a term as governor of Minnesota — decades filled with meetings, decisions, and powerful people. But the moment that gave him a new sense of calling was quiet and unremarkable.
It was a walk with his three-year-old grandson.
Nothing profound happened; they were just walking along, holding hands. But Al said that in that simple moment, something shifted. He grasped the power of his role as a grandfather like never before, and he committed himself that day to be more involved, more loving, more present.
With Father’s Day approaching, it’s a good time to consider what grandfathers pass on to their grandchildren. Our legacy isn’t always built during interactions that feel significant at the time. Sometimes it’s built in ordinary ones — a short walk, a spontaneous hug, an afternoon in the garage — where the real significance might not become clear until much later. We can’t always tell which moments matter most while we’re living them.
Consider the story of Jim Shea Jr. and his grandfather, Jack Shea.
Jack was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in speed skating back in the 1932 Lake Placid Games. Decades later, his grandson Jim trained for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, competing in skeleton, the headfirst sledding event. Jack hoped to be there to watch, but he died in a car accident just weeks before the games began.
When Jim crossed the finish line and saw that he’d won the gold medal, he yanked off his helmet and held up a photo for all to see. It was a picture of his grandfather. He had carried it inside his helmet during the race. Later, on the awards podium, Jim wore one of his granddad’s gold medals around his neck.
Jack Shea couldn’t have known, during all those years of simply being a grandfather, that one day his photo would cross an Olympic finish line. He had no way of knowing what all those day-by-day investments in his grandson would lead to. He just kept showing up.
The influence we have on our grandchildren may not be visible until long after the fact. You don’t get to see the whole story from where you’re standing.
Father’s Day is a time to honor the men who’ve shaped us, and for many that includes a grandfather. If you’re a grandfather yourself, here’s an invitation:
Don’t wait for a moment that feels big.
The next walk you take together, the next game of catch, the next quiet afternoon fishing together or just sitting on the porch — that might be the moment. You won’t know until later.
Grandfathers, what ordinary moments with your grandkids have meant more than you expected? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.
