Stories of Gumption is a regular column that profiles individuals who admirably demonstrate Gumption as we define it. These are the stories of real people who exhibit gumption in overcoming personal challenges, and validate the spirit of Gumption during their journey. Let’s take inspiration from those who seize 100% personal responsibility and show us how to live a life that exhibits Gump-like character traits worthy of applause!
My last post told the story of my father moving from the family home of fifty-eight years to his new home in the retirement community. This week marks the end of one grand era and the start of new chapters. Dad stepped up and made the choice to move. With that choice made, he received lots of help. This is the story of Dad’s helpers.
Today, I salute my siblings. Together, they made it much easier for Dad and Amy to move. They’ve spent the last two months doing what needed to be done. They spent many weekends, days, and hours sorting through memories, treasures, junk, and stuff … lots and lots of stuff. My siblings have Gumption.
Here is why I’m grateful for and thankful to my four siblings.
I’m grateful that Mom and Dad gave me two brothers and two sisters.
I’m grateful that today, fifty to sixty years later, we all still like each other.
I’m grateful that you four stepped up and helped Dad and Amy get moved.
I’m grateful that I didn’t have to worry that this big job was getting done.
I’m grateful that you four are my siblings.
Gratitude is synonymous with thanks.
Thank you, John, Eileen, Jeanne, and Ken for helping Dad and Amy get moved.
Thanks for physically moving the furniture, kitchen stuff, and clothing that Dad and Amy will use in their new apartment.
Thanks for helping two eighty-year-olds make decisions about things that needed decisions.
Thanks for being patient and loving during this decision-making process.
Thanks for cleaning out the attic.
Thanks for cleaning out the basement cabinets.
Thanks for cleaning out the garage.
Thanks for giving me nieces and nephews to take much of Dad’s furniture and other still usable items.
Thanks for finding other family members willing to take nifty treasures and sell them at charity yard sales.
Thanks for taking mementos of meaning and rescuing them from a landfill.
Thanks for taking sixty-plus years of photographs and making sure they will be shared.
Thanks for taking everything that was left and loading it into a dumpster.
Thank you, John, for rescuing the fifty-eight-year-old refrigerator that still works and finding it a home where it will have beer for the next family get-together.
Thank you, Eileen, for doing the lion’s share of the work and for being the one to pick up any pieces that needed picking up.
Thank you, Jeanne, for flying cross-country not once, but twice, in the last month to do more than your fair share of the heavy lifting and patient sorting.
Thank you, Ken, for being Dad’s go-to IT guy for the past ten years, providing the muscle, and taking home the leftovers … both literally and figuratively.
I’m especially grateful because all of this has occurred while I’ve been 2,389 miles away in Montana. I’ve tried to cheer all four of you on from afar … but I graciously acknowledge that you guys have done all the work. The only finger I’ve had to lift is to call and offer encouragement. Thanks for never showing any discouragement.
I salute my siblings for doing what needed to be done.
I thank my siblings for doing the hard work.
I’m grateful that Mom and Dad gave me four awesome siblings.
I’m grateful that I was born into a family with Gumption.
Next Blog Title: Is Your Meeting Agenda Like a Box of Chocolates?
Next Blog Date: September 19 2011