30 Minutes with My Grandson
It’s that time of year when offspring leave for school. I will always cherish Mort Marks’ column about walking his youngest daughter to school for the first time, holding her hand. One of his best columns ever.
I have a grandson leaving for the University of Colorado this week.
Like most parents, and grandparents, we think that our siblings are very special. We should all feel that way about our children and grandchildren. When you age, you realize that the greatest accomplishment in your life was bringing children into your life.
So it is that last Sunday afternoon Gerri and I stopped by his home to say “goodbye” and to spend 30 minutes with him talking about our college do’s and don’ts experiences. He was very kind to listen to his grandparents telling him things that he probably already knew. This is a savvy kid…
Anyway, both of his grandparents, the publishers of this newspaper, came from small towns. We both attended and met at CSU. We dated in school; Gerri receiving my Sigma Chi pin at a pinning ceremony and after graduation we were married.
I came off a ranch to attend then Colorado A&M. I was greatly impressed by young men from East High School in Denver. The wore crisp khaki jeans and were classy dressers. My Levis didn’t look so good so I visited the local men’s store. My wife on the other hand had a new wardrobe of Jantzen skirts and sweaters.
I cautioned my grandson about the evils of alcohol and drugs although there were no drugs when I started college, just pitchers of 3.2 beer and pizza on Friday afternoons.
Next, I gave him advice that worked well for me. I told him to get a school catalog, now on-line, and read it thoroughly.
The school catalog is a blueprint of all classes, events, clubs, et al. I was able to plot a course of where to go, what to take, and when to arrive.
Another trick of mine then, and true today, was to read public bulletin boards. It’s amazing what you find posted on school or government bulletin boards. I plucked a university scholarship from a bulletin board posting from the Ford Foundation.
Lastly, we talked about friends and lasting friendships. I pledged Sigma Chi my sophomore year and enjoyed the brotherhood. Yes, I went through hell week where we got our rear-ends turned black and blue. They don’t haze anymore, but they do have rituals, and rules to live by in life. Grandson is an engineering student so a Fraternity may not fit in his study cycle his freshman year. We had to do daily house chores that included peeling a bucket of potatoes every day for the house cook. Returning to CSU for class reunions, the largest majority of returning alumni are from the Greek world because of lasting friendships. We also donate the most money.
Final advice; enjoy the University and become involved. This will be the most important adventure of your life so make the most of it. Enjoy your colleagues and your curriculum of education. You will excel in what you like to learn, and you should follow your dreams of what you want to become.
Thank your parents for providing a higher educational opportunity. Parents sacrifice a great deal for children of all ages, and it is the best lesson of life to watch them grow, learn, and most of all be happy.
Goodbye Grandson! Enjoy Coach Prime and the. CU Buffs if you can get tickets to the games. The season is sold out already. Go Buffs and CSU Rams. We have two CU, and two CSU alumni children.