I read something recently that has stayed with me ever since.  It was in the  book "The Art of a Fresh Start" by Glenna Salsbury.  I would like to share  what she wrote about her father;

"My father spent most of his career as a life insurance agent in central Illinois.  He was a born salesman.  He could visit with farmers, bankers, insurance company presidents and the local postmaster with equal ease and aplomb.

Also, he was a born philosopher.  Our family lived on top of a hill that overlooked the Illinois River Valley.  As a young adult my favorite moments were spent in a lawn chair perched in the grass, sipping a freshly brewed mug of coffee, musing about life with this congenial patriarch.  He had insights about the big picture that continue to influence my life.

One Saturday night, under a full moon, with crickets chirping and fireflies twinkling, I asked my dad what his purpose in life was.  I was having some philosophical struggles of my own about then.  He laughed gently at my seriousness, but his response was heartfelt.  "My goal is simple.  Each day I want to make people glad they saw me."

That was it, plain and simple.  His focus wasn't selling insurance policies, it was lighting up peoples' lives.  He even had a standing offer to any Illinois State Police officer.  "If you recognize my license plate and stop me, I will buy you a cup of coffee and a steak dinner, anytime, day or night."

What a profound and yet so simple purpose in life..."making people glad they saw me."

Everyone wants to know that they make a difference.

One area I pray that this simple purpose will show itself in my life, is with the precious little ones that surround me on a weekly basis.

One thing that I know for sure, is that this could be said about the guy on these two pictures.  His grandchildren would undoubtedly claim that they are thrilled every single time they see him,(their grandpa). 

And, they are sad to have him leave them after being with them.  This little guy copies his moves and is thrilled when they are dressed alike.

"Each day I want to make people glad that they saw me"... Think if we lived this way.  Think if we treated our family, children, and grandchildren with that type of purpose in our day...think what a difference that would make in daily life.

From their early years, until now...we as grandparents are creating memories and teaching by example. Life is going by so quickly, as you can see from this early picture, and the little ones are growing up right before our eyes.  What a challenge...what a blessing!

I am thankful this evening for the books I am privileged to read that challenge me and get me to think, and also, for the many people in my life that... I am happy, to see as often as possible.

Thanks to Glenna Salsbury for her profound little book.