A Great Example for Me to Follow

Today my “Gramps”, Harry Miller, would have been 100 years old. He lived to be over 90, which is the standard that I am shooting for. He was married to my Nana, Isabel Campbell, until she passed at 65 years old in 1977. About two years later he was married again, this time to Helene. They were married for about twenty years, until she passed.

One of the great life lessons Harry taught me through his actions, not by his words, was one of commitment and faithfulness. I remember the huge 40th anniversary celebration for Isabel and him at my aunt’s home. I remember seeing the pain in his face after the loss of his wife of over 40 years. Twenty more years of marriage to Helene taught me that people can make relationships work.

The true effect his example on my life can never be measured against “what ifs.” In a world where people like to think that nobody is affected by our actions, I can only speculate what would have happened had my Gramps not been faithfully married for such a long time: Would my father have stayed married to my mom for nearly 25 years, until his death? Would the same positive image of the relationship he had with my father be etched in my memory? If divorce was OK for my Gramps, how might my convictions about divorce be different than they are today?

Most of my life’s experiences with my Gramps involved golf clubs, balls, and trips to the zoo. I had no idea he was teaching me such important lessons all along.

Happy birthday Gramps.