Happy Birthday, Frosty

Today would have been my grandfather’s birthday. We called him “Frosty.” His name was Forest, but we couldn’t pronounce that—so “Frosty” stuck! We were so fortunate to have grandparents who adored us, spent time with us, influenced us both as children and through our growing up years.

I grew up in a family where closeness and commitment to family was of utmost priority. We were not wealthy—but of a middle-class income level. Our fun came from simple things—time together, time with friends, and time with our extended family. Our favorite weeks of the summer were the the weeks with grandparents and “cousins.” All four of my grandparents lived in the same town, and my parents were high school sweethearts who ended up married for 47 years

“Frosty” was a WWI veteran. His sense of commitment influenced his service to our country, his life as a farmer and cattleman, his marriage, his fatherhood and his grandfatherhood.

Commitment. Devotion. Dedication. Time. Focus. Attention.

These are the principles and factors that he brought to his relationships—as did all of my grandparents. I can’t tell you physical gifts they gave to us. Their gifts were far more meaningful than anything that could be wrapped: fishing on the farm ponds, helping with the harvest, my grandmother’s delicious meals, gathering eggs, riding the tractor, playing games together – simply doing everything with them.

Commitment. Devotion. Dedication. Time. Focus. Attention.

So–Happy Birthday, “Frosty”. Thank you for the memories and the influence. You are a role model to me and I want to be the same for my own grandchildren.