A Legacy of Wisdom
By T. Delaplain
“Fifteen two, fifteen four.” Ed motioned to his grandson to count again. “Ya ain’t paying attention. When’s the last time you went home? Your mom’s fit to be tied.”
“She doesn’t get it, there’s no time to slow down. I’m behind in biochem, student government is a time suck and I’m taking the MCAT next month.”
“I don’t get all of that fancy college stuff but I reckon your mom does, why don’t you try talkin’ to her, she rode that same trail and she don’t want you to make the same mistakes.”
***
Photo credit @Ted Strutz
Join us at Friday Fictioneers. Our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields will give you 100 words to impart your cowboy wisdom.
My dad had a special way of imparting his brand of cowboy wisdom, usually through stories like this one. I know he told both my oldest son and me to slow down, let the dust settle, and just pay attention and play. He wouldn’t have known to say, “Learn to pause and stay in the moment,” but that’s what he meant. The vernacular I use is exaggerated but that’s how we all retell his stories. We laugh about it now but we all know his wisdom is part of our legacy.
You can read more about my dad and son’s special bond here here.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
The special bond between grandchildren and grandparents is a beautiful thing. I’m glad you brought that to light in your story, Tracey.
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They spent many hours together solving life’s problems over a game of crib or fishing.
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Yep, sure had to read this a few times to understand the idioms. I still don’t understand. ‘Your mum is fit to be tied.” But then again, we all have expressions in our family and generations that just seem natural and we know what they mean. (It’s the sentiment behind the words, I believe).
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You’re right, my dad always used that idiom and I never thought much about it.
It means, so angry or frustrated that you need physical restraints to contain someone. It’s a little dramatic in this conversation because I’m sure I was never fit to be tied over my son not coming home from college. Ha ha
Thanks for sharing your insight,
Tracey
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And Grandpa counts better than the biochemist grandson too!
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My dad had an 8th grade education but used to tell us all, “If you go another year to college, you won’t know a damn thing.” That still makes me smile.
Thanks Neil
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Dear Tracey,
There’s a lot to be said for good ol’ fashioned horse sense. 😉 Lovely snippet of life here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed and Edard had that in spades. (The idioms just keep coming.)
Thanks Rochelle
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Oh this is so lovely. I get a perfect sense of their bond. Beautifully written.
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Thank you Laurie
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How nice that they had a special bond and I like the story here that showed how dad offered up advice and wisdom in a subtle way –
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If he start the lecture with, “I’m not telling you what to do but if it were me…..” we all knew that he was going to tell you exactly what he thought you should do. The “don’t be an idiot” was implied.
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yes!!
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A very special relationship. Thank you for sharing this with us, Tracey.
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting Keith.
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Being a grandmother is the reward for being a mother 🙂
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I agree. I’m probably giving my grands the same advice that I heard from my dad, although, they’ve never seen a horse in their lives so I don’t use the cowboy references. Ha ha
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A truly special bond. I heard a child psychologist say that grandparents and grandchildren get along well because they have a common enemy.
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Ouch, that’s probably partially true.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting,
Tracey
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The relationship between grandparent and grandchild is a unique relationship. It tends to be a very forgiving relationship.
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These two were next level co-conspirators. Thanks for commenting Sandra.
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I love the old ways people got their point across. This was lovely.
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Beautiful story!
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Thanks Dawn
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