Here in September, my lovely grandparents, Dick and Diane Trisko, are celebrating their “being on this planet for 70% of a century”, also referred to as their “birthdays”. Commemorating their 70th birthdays, my gift to them is my incredibly mediocre writing, sharing what they’ve taught me and their counsel to us all as we grow older.

I set out originally to reflect on some cool stories and possibly get a little life advice from my beautiful grandmother and talented grandfather. What I ended up receiving was a collection of insightful, moving, and memorable bits of helpful guidance.

As I planned out this article, there was a lot to decide between…

Did I want to tell stories about them? Possibly go through some of the funny adventures we had had over the years? Or maybe I’d just write up directions for them on how to play a DVD and what not to post on Facebook? (Joking about this one. My grandma uses emojis better than I do and my grandpa had TiVo in like 2003, they’re hip as hell.)

It’s important I set the scene first. I’ve been extremely close with my grandparents my entire life. There are countless memories that come to mind, from watching Lion King endlessly with grandma to discussing Stephen King books with grandpa.

As I grew up, I learned things from both of them I try to radiate throughout my life and legacy.

From grandpa, I learned to be calm, collected, stoic, and introspective. Nobody listens better than grandpa, and nobody gives sounder advice in fewer words. He taught me to overcome any obstacle and to do it with a good attitude. Grandpa, my little brother, and I used to read books or go to movies all the time, and he was notorious for taking us to stuff my parents would have never approved of for how young we were. I still have this love of books and movies today, and we usually text back and forth about whatever blockbuster has recently come out. I love that about him and I’ll share that with my little ones some day as well. One day, if I can be half the man Grandpa is, from soldier to rock star to bus driver, I’ll consider my life a success.

Grandma, on the opposite hand, has balanced me out on the other side of the spectrum. I can’t think of anyone who emulates laughter, kindness, and true optimism more than her. There is no doubt in my mind she coined the phrase “live well, laugh often, love much” before it became a household decoration. When I was recovering from a broken back, she was on her way to beating cancer A SECOND TIME and literally smiling through it. She’s taught me to persevere with humility, love others, and give back.

But how to capture all of these traits in an article? Well, ultimately, I went with something a tad different than just sharing lessons from them…

I decided I would ask them questions that they could expand on themselves and highlight the trait it reminds me of. So I whipped up a list I thought was fun, shot them an email (I told you they were hip) with the list included, and waited on their responses.

They took a couple days to thoroughly answer my inquiries. And as I read more into their responses, I realized this wasn’t necessarily going to be a gift to them.

This was absolutely a gift to all of US.

Their outlook on life, their simple means, their funny quips…all of these things we can take, implement, and remember in our own lives.

Here are the questions I asked and the characteristics/ traits I associated with them:

1. What is your all-time favorite meal? (Simplicity & tradition)
2. Which animal best describes your personality and why? (Spirit)
3. What was your favorite job you’ve ever had? (Effort)
4. When you think of your 20s, what memory immediately comes to mind? (Culture)
5. What’s one quote, saying, or bit of advice you try to always live by? (Legacy)
6. In all of your memorable years, what are you most proud of now? (Pride)
7. What’s one book EVERYONE needs to read? (Introspection)
8. In your eyes, what is the meaning of life? (LIFE!!)

I thought this gave a variety of background as well as open ended questions to help set the scene. So without further ado, enjoy their answers!

I also put some of my personal favorite responses in bold and also added some of my own comments that will be italicized. 

Grandma’s Answers: (70 on September 6, born in Alexandria, MN)

1. Broiled Shrimp (now allergic…bummer); now walleye. (A solid Minnesotan staple.)
2. Giraffe – because it is gentle and can see everything. I like to see all I can and then decide how to handle the situation in a kind and sensitive way.
3. Teacher and Elementary Principal…working with children has brought such joy to me. Then being able to work with parents, teachers, and students was always a daily adventure. (She’s being too modest. In 1997, she was named “Minnesota’s Distinguished Principal”.
4. Kimberly and Tammi were born in the seventies. What joy they brought to my life. (Kimberly is my mom, Tammi is my aunt. Can confirm they bring joy.)
5. My personal mission statement, “Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much!” (see, I told you she invented it!)
6. My family, marrying Dick, and being Minnesota’s National Distinguished Principal in 1997.
7. The Bible
8. Discover what makes you happy, then go do more of it. Life is short, live each day the best you can, be kind to one another, and treat the earth with respect.”

Grandpa’s Answers: (70 on September 19, born in Alexandria, MN)

1. Spaghetti with meat sauce (a simple man who knows what he likes)
2. Dinosaur, specifically a Stegosaurus, as they are less aggressive than their meat eating colleagues. I’m old school, despise social media (Facebook, etc.) and while I appreciate going on-line to find answers and get information from time to time, I abhor video games and the like on TV screens.  I play a little solitaire on my cell phone, but that is as far as I go. (This whole response is pure genius. I love the way he emulates these traits so truly in his life.)
3. What I have enjoyed the most over these years is playing guitar in a band, in which there have been many since my high school days in the ‘60’s. I lived on the road in the ‘70s as a musician/singer.  Also, I loved the early days of radio announcing.  Being a radio DJ was a gas and I was good at it. (He’s done it all! I’m telling you, my gramps is the absolute man.)
4. Military Service-4 years in the Navy; Hospital Corpsman with the Marines in Viet Nam; returning to a radio career and becoming a rock n’ roll road musician. (He’s really done it all. Grandpa also gave me a lot of his adventurousness.)
5. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Golden Rule
6. Marrying my high school friend, Diane and helping her raise her three children from a previous marriage and having our own child and guiding them all to adulthood. (I have faith they would still match on Tinder today.)
7. I love fiction, almost anything by Stephen King and historical biographies, especially those featuring Presidents of the U.S. and Abraham Lincoln specifically. (I used to read pretty explicit books from grandpa’s shelf when I was far too young for them, I still love reading Stephen King books today.)
8. I have absolutely no idea what happens when we die.  And despite their education and experience, I don’t think religious leaders (pastors, etc.) do either.  That is the great mystery to yet be discovered.  So, while we share this time on earth, “Be honest with each other, be kind to the environment, and treat people with respect.”  And if there is indeed a life after this one, you’ll be rewarded.

Those of us lucky enough to have grandparents know that that’s what they truly are – grand. From teaching countless kids and working as a principal and beating cancer, to serving our country in Vietnam, traveling with a rock band, and coming to my athletics as a kid, these two high school sweethearts will always radiate courage, adventurousness, love, compassion, and humility. I love them dearly.

Happy Birthday Grandma and Grandpa!