NickVenturella.com 1-28-21 - Don't pass up opportunities

Don't pass up opportunities

January 28, 2022

It’s the end of an era.My last living grandparent passed away last week. My grandfather was 96 years old. He definitely had a good run, but it’s still never easy to lose a loved one.

In these times, you’re left thinking about all the things you wished you would have done with that person. The amount of times you should have gone to visit but didn’t because other life obligations seemed to get in the way.

However, I take some comfort in knowing that he now knows how much I’ve kept him in my thoughts.

My grandfather was a good man who prioritized family, he was a hard worker, creative, smart, and he loved to entertain and play music (a great harmonica player). I’m grateful and honored that our shared DNA has allowed me several of those same attributes.

While my grandfather was in assisted living – and after my grandmother, his wife, passed away a few years back – I would call him (he lived out of state from me), but he wouldn’t have much to say so I would share what was happening with my own young family. After a few of those conversations I could tell talking on the phone was not his thing, and when you live in an assisted living community where things don’t change much day after day, I supposed there is not much news to report.

So, I started writing him letters. I figured, ‘who doesn’t like to get a little surprise in the mail?’ You know, an unexpected letter written just for you.

The letters weren’t anything profound, just what was going on in our family for his awareness, and something to talk about. However, the main reason for writing the letters was to hopefully give him something, even something small, to look forward to in a sad time when his partner was no longer with him.

For my own sense of closure, I am grateful that in those letters I shared with him his influence on me and my gratitude for knowing him. I tried to express the gifts his life provided me, both directly and indirectly.

Thanks Grandpa!  You will be missed, but never forgotten.

The lesson here? Be sure to tell someone who you love, admire, respect, what they mean to you and the positive impact they’ve had on you. It doesn’t have to be in a letter. It can be in-person, on a call, heck even in a text. Just don’t let the opportunity pass you by to recognize those individuals who are a positive influence in your life.

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Stay positive. Stay healthy. Be kind.Sincerely,Nick VenturellaCreative Professional, andco-founder of Eleven Music Career CenterNickVenturella.comnickVmusic.netnickVguitars.comFacebookYouTube