I have mentioned the Grandfather of my son in law a few times. Robert Haga is a WWII Veteran. Bob is 96 years young and you could not meet a finer gentleman. He lost the love of his life last year, Dottie and he were married for 74 years. Bob will tell you that he looks forward to being reunited with his wife and two sons who preceded him in death but for now he lives and enjoys each day. As you walk the halls of his assisted living facility, everyone knows him and appreciate him saying hello with a smile. Cheryl from housekeeping stopped us to tell Bob his laundry was done and put away in his room. I was thanking her for taking good care and she said she wanted to adopt Bob as her Grandfather. There is not an ounce of ego in Bob, he is genuinely interested in each person he meets and once he knows you, he does not forget what he has learned about your life, family, and passions. The world would be a much better place if there were way more Bob Haga’s living here.
This week we scheduled lunch, Bob loves to get out the building and spend time with Holt, his family, and his adopted family which fortunately includes my wife and I. I asked him what what was new-he said things are just SOSO. He explained that was same old, same old. Something different was a welcome relief, as simple as lunch and a beer. When we finished lunch, we took a car trip up to Lucky Peak Reservoir, I was hoping the overflow rooster tails would be creating that beautiful series of rainbows. We missed that but you would have thought Bob was on a trip to Disney Land. He continually thanked me for the tour and it dawned on me, I should be thanking him, he so enjoyed a simple car ride. The message is obvious, take some time to make a difference for someone.
As Theodore Roosevelt reminded us, “….you are the only one who can make the world a better place to inhabit.” The January 6th testimony makes it clear your individual contributions can be more than a thoughtful act. We can now visualize the outcome for our country if Vice President Pence had not honored his constitutional mandate and certified the Electoral College tally.
Join me in wishing John Holleran, Esquire, a happy birthday today. I am giving him a spot at a Hokey Pokey Clinic, hoping he can turn his golf game around. Keep that sense of humor. Mike