learning from Grandpa Del

In this photo you see my Dad, Caleb and Sam. They are on a loading dock of one of my father’s properties in our old hometown. We were saying goodbye, with Josiah and my Grandma there and it took more than 2 minutes, so Sam-whose body was dreading the next 7 hours of immobility and searching out all possible activity before being strapped into a seatbelt-saw this area. Something high. and dirty. and concrete. Ah-ha! danger! He had to race up the ramp and jump off this urban cliff, feet first, fists pumping and voice shouting in triumph! Josiah took a careful, hesitant jump himself-first weighing the possibilities, then crouching very low and kind of slipping over the edge-just to show he too, was brave but not crazy like his little brother. Caleb watches both of them. He goes up and looks over the edge, grinning with delight and fear-it’s so high! My Dad and I are watching and start encouraging him. It’s clear how badly Caleb wants to do it, but now he’s thought about it too long. So I say “let’s go, time to leave, maybe next time” but he is so focused, he doesn’t even hear. My Dad, who admires risk taking probably above all all other traits, says “You want Pop-pop to do it with you?!” and starts up the ramp to lead the troops into battle himself. My dear Grandma next to me, shouts out to HER son, “NO! Now that’s too dangerous! Don’t you dare!”