Eight years ago our younger granddaughter and our youngest grandson came to visit us in Hollywood (Florida) during school break. They loved warmth of the sun and the ocean, building sand castles, playing soccer and volleyball on the beach, playing ping-pong in a game room.
Once our granddaughter asked my wife: “Grandma, why don’t you buy an apartment here?”
My wife answered: “We’d like to do it! But we don’t have money for it.”
“Don’t worry, Grandma! After I finish school and college I’ll buy an apartment for you. ”
We were very happy! I did not even buy a lottery ticket after my wife told me about the promise.
Next day my wife asked our 4 years old grandson: “Dear, your sister promised to buy us an apartment here after she starts working. However, she is a girl. She can meet a nice guy and marry him. Then they might need to buy an apartment or a house for their family and she will be unable to keep her promise.
You are a man. Would you be willing to buy an apartment for us when you grow up?”
“Sure. I love you very much and I’ll visit you often in your new apartment”.
A couple of minutes passed. I could see that our grandson was intensely thinking about something.
Then he said: “Grandma, first I have to go to school. It’ll take 12 years. Then I have to go to college for 4 years. Then I’ll start working and will save money to buy you an apartment. But I think you’ll be dead by that time.”
I heard that simple math and I understood that we should continue to buy lottery tickets.
We also decided that we would like to celebrate our youngest grandson’s wedding.
I also remembered how many dear relatives and friends we already lost.
My friend Yuri passed away when he was only 41 years old.
We never know how long we will live.
We must value every minute of our lives.
We must remember that happiness is in present!
Be happy, my friends!
Here’s to living every moment.
Red or white wine? Or something stronger? Cheers!
… and nobody buys an appartment for me in Hollywood 😉 What a pity!
You are so right, we have to do everything we want to now 🙂 But actually I have to learn it – well, my Prussian upbringing …
I wish you a happy week
Klausbernd and his chirpy Bookfayries Siri and Selma
Fighting my upbringing was the worst thing for me in America. I could not get a
job in my field (overqualified) so I had to lie that I had experience in other
fields (accounting, computer science). It was pathetic!
In one of yours or Dina’s posts mentioned “Alexandria’s Quartet”. When I read it
sentences changed into pictures and I felt hot wind from the desert. Wonderful style!
Happy years to you and your loved ones!
Reblogged this on PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and commented:
Years are passing and each one brings ups and downs.
It’s your attitude that determines if you are happy! Happiness is in present!
That is a useful and touching story. thanks for sharing it. wishing you many years of story telling
Thank you! Best to you!
SUPER!
None of us are promised tomorrow
We must live for today.