My grandfather had to have been the most practical man I have ever known. In fact I still remember many of the “rules to live by” that he handed down over the years before he passed away.
It is through my observations of him and so many like him that I have come to believe that our senior citizens possess a talent for knowing the difference between right and wrong and the simple character trait of plain old common sense. Older people in my opinion, are remarkably resilient and incredibly dependable. Sitting in the church pew this past Sunday, I scanned the congregation and was once again reminded of what a valuable resource our senior citizens are.
Grandpa used to tell his grandkids if you couldn’t pay cash for something then you couldn’t afford it. He was a product of tough times growing up during the Great Depression and clearly understood how to get by with less. Credit purchases were simply out of the question unless it was a mortgage.
I first came to understand his convictions regarding saving money and avoiding debt in 1974 when he purchased a used pickup truck.
Being the practical man that he was, Grandpa selected a used Dodge D100 short wheel base pickup truck that was as basic as one could find. There was a heater and defroster but certainly didn’t have a radio. He used to laugh when asked about air conditioning and said it had a model 2-50 device that worked quite well. That was his way of saying “two windows down at 50 miles per hour.” He paid cash for the old truck and, though he could have afforded something more luxurious, he instead chose to live within his means.
My grandfather was also a man who loved to smoke his pipe and listen to college football games on the home “Hi-Fi Stereo system” purchased with Green Stamps my grandmother collected. I recall going through that stereo cabinet after my grandparents passed away and smiled as I found the albums they used to listen to. Floyd Cramer, Andy Williams and an old Jim Nabors album were among the collection.
Was life really more simple back then? Or have we just made things too complicated with our home computers, satellite dishes and microwave ovens?
Whenever I begin to feel my life is becoming too complicated, I remind myself there are those out there who have endured far more than I could ever imagine and they have persevered. I have seen the men and women who comprise what has come to be known as The Greatest Generation and find comfort knowing they are out there sharing my beliefs of decency, fairness and common sense.
The truck my grandfather purchased many years ago, affectionately nicknamed Old Blue, is now 42 years old and is still driven almost every day. Each time I hold the steering wheel in my hands, I am reminded Grandpa once held the same steering wheel in his hands and can’t help but wonder if he would approve of the way I have been “steering my family and steering my life”.
Thanks to all my well wishers since I have returned from Iraq.
Greg Laffitte wrote regular columns for The Times during two military deployments.
What We Think
Driving Old Blue
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
