Jump-Starter

My husband’s post-retirement job in no way resembles his career as a college professor. Now he’s working toward his own improved health, and our days are filled with goals to that end.  But yesterday we also recognized another ongoing occupation: making things happen.

When we were younger, he was always doing something. We took for granted his pro-active, involved, hot-wired approach to life that meant the whole family was active as well.  He made things happen, and we were automatically included.

Yesterday he invited our son and nine-year-old grandson (who loved watching the winter Olympics) to the local snow ski area for the grandson’s first snowboarding experience.  The day was a huge success!  Although he regretted not being able to participate on the slopes, he watched and cheered for several hours from the sidelines and enjoyed the vicarious high.

“I guess my new role is making things happen,” he said last evening.  “Maybe not fully participating, but getting the ball rolling.”  He explained that our son had thanked him for initiating the experience, which wouldn’t have occurred otherwise.  “So I can be the pioneer, the one to launch activities.”

“The spark,” I added.  I could see him kicking off activities like a trigger at the starting gate of a race, a key in the ignition, a switch on the lamp.  A spark plug.

One of his ongoing gifts to the family over the years has been an encouraging presence.  Whenever an interest surfaced in any of us, he believed in giving it a try, “Or else you will always wonder.” 

He still can do that.  Be the wind in the sail.