I Choose Joy For My Grandpa

As a society, we are curious about habits that lead to a long and healthy life. For that information, we seek out our elders. Now, many grandparents will advise on that topic but, my grandpa Billy was different. He did not tell me how to live a long and happy life, he showed me. For the 26 years that he blessed my life, he always has a smile on his face. People noted there were two things Grandpa Billy always had on him, his Korean War Veteran hat and a big smile.

Sadly, my grandpa passed over Memorial Day weekend this past year. I saw that as poetic in a sense since he was a veteran. Although I am an emotional wreck from his passing, he is finally reunited with my grandma. My grandpa lived to be 90-years-old with barley taking any medications. For being 90-years-old, he was mobile and his mind was sharp. He was just hard of hearing from being in the Korean War. My family always looked at him with the amazement of how strong of a man he was. This man was always happy, he could talk to anyone, he would always be cracking jokes. flirting with the nurses when he was in the hospital and was the light of anyone’s day.

Mygrandma would joke saying “That man is in LaLa Land! That’s why he hasn’t got a care in the world!” (Also say that in your head with the thick New York accent to get the full effect) My grandpa would then joke back and tell me he takes out his hearing aids so he does not have to hear my grandma nag him! My grandpa found joy in the simple things in life. What made him happy you ask? His family, his shows, his dogs, his casino games, and food. Food was a top tier joy for him. I am pretty sure I get my messy eating habits from him because you could tell what his last meal was based on the stains on his shirt.

My grandpa was also a war hero, during his service in the Korean War he received several awards for his bravery. He did not discuss the war that much so, I did not realize how much of an impact he left until he passed and we went through all of his belongings. He would only joke that all the women in Korea thought he was a hot ticket as an American soldier. He did this on purpose to get a rise out of my grandma and it worked every time! I believe his time in the war left a lasting effect on his outlook on life. During his time of service who knows what he saw and what he had to go through. I think he returned home with being grateful for surviving the war. He lived every day as a blessing. Which it is, living through our everyday hustle we don’t tend to think that way. When you’re in the midst of a battle and you live, you get to breathe another breath that changes your perspective.

When we would pick him up to take him to the doctor, store, or casino, he would be so excited about that adventure. He was also content sitting in front of his big-screen T.V. and watching his Westerns for hours. My grandpa would take life each day at a time. He lived his life in the present and took it all in. He was never in a rush and would appreciate his surroundings. My grandpa and grandma would sit in their beautiful backyard for hours. They would take in all the sounds of nature. Both of them would sit on their swings with the dogs and listen to the sounds of the birds and the water in their pond. Yes, my grandparents had a pond in their backyard, it is a staple of bougie Italian families on Long Island.

I never saw my grandpa upset or stressed. He never showed it at least instead, he chose to be happy. He made a crucial choice every morning to be joyful. That takes an immense amount of mental strength. We all have those mornings we wake up and hate the day before it even starts. Is that any way to live your life though? Every day is truly a new day, that’s the way my grandpa saw it. He lived in a mindset of bliss. He was a simple man that found joy in simple everyday actions. He was in his element when we would take him to the casino “Jake’s 58”. He would be there for hours and never win a cent! He enjoyed the thrill and excitement of the potential of winning money.

I think that was the key to his “Choose Joy” mindset. He was excited about the potential. He was excited about the potential happiness the day would bring. He loved talking to new people with the potential of making new friends. If he ran into another veteran in public, forget about it he could talk for hours about war stories!

That’s the key to a long and healthy life. Choosing joy and being grateful. With what the world is going through today, finding ways to be grateful is an important strategy. Stress and anxiety impact your health, both physically and mentally. Be active in choosing joy and appreciate what you have around you. You never know what forms of happiness you’ll find in each day. For grandpa Billy, I work on choosing joy every day. Try it, if not for yourself, do it for grandpa Billy.

A light heart lives long.

-William Shakespeare

Originally posted on Medium.com in "All About Surrounding"