The Hardest Part

Our grandfathers try to teach us so much with the little time they have with us, but most of us either fail to learn, or dismiss what they try to teach us as an old man's foolishness.

This piece comes from something my grandfather told me when I was 19, visiting his farm in North Carolina while on military leave. I was tired, stressing as only a service member can, and while I don't remember exactly what began the conversation, I do remember saying that life was so much harder than I thought it would be.

He looked at me and gave a sort of "hmph" kind of chuckle, and he told me "Son, ain life thas hard, is the LIVIN." I should point out that my grandfather had a SERIOUS southern accent. He pointed out to the cornfields that surrounded his house and told me that growing corn was easy, because corn will grow like all things do, but growing it RIGHT, the right amount, the right quality, to get the best price, THAT was hard.

Much of what I have passed on in my over 5 years here, much of what I have taught in my life, comes from my grandfather, because unlike most people, I didn't think he was foolish, and I listened.

It is my hope that these words are a fitting memorial to one of the two best men I've ever known, he was a simple man, and so this piece, like him, is simple.

It is also my hope that this piece, like the man himself, will change your life, because that is what I do, and it is what he did for me, and I will be forever grateful that the last words I ever said to him were "Love you, grandpa."

In honor and loving memory of James Lawrence Perry, Sr.-September 18, 1915-December 9, 2012, you live on in myself and your granddaughter, and in any other children I may have, and in any she may have.

And now you know where the "jlp" I sign every piece comes from. I carry his name, it is my hope that I honor it as well.

Thank you grandpa, for everything.



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