Things My Grampa Taught Me

Ever since my Grampa passed away, I've often found myself engulfed is silence, nearly drowning in my thoughts and sadness. I think to myself I'm sad because I'll never get to see his goofy grin again. I'm sad because I'll never get to hear him yell at the TV during a Packer game again. I'm sad that I'll never get to feel the warm embrace of his hug again. I could go on with a list of things that make me sad, but I know that is not what Gramps would want.

Instead of succumbing to the silence and looking at what I’ve lost, I have decided to look at what I’ve gained – and yes, I now realize there has been much I have gained over the past nineteen years because of my grampa’s presence in my life. I was able to compile a list of things I have learned over the years because Thomas Sedivy was my grampa.

1.     Hallmark should really start spelling Grampa the right way so people like me don’t have to use a Sharpie to cross off the ND in Grandpa and replace it with an M.

2.     Hat collections are a real thing, and my gramps had one of the best ones.

3.     Loyalty to the Green Bay Packers is a must (as well as the Milwaukee Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers). If you’re a real Packer fan, your house better include a ‘Packer’ wall, complete with Title Town rally towels.

4.     A good life is earned through hard work. You have to put in the work to see the results. Gramps worked hard as a sprinkler fitter for many years to be able to retire in his dream home in the Northwoods.

5.     An 83-year-old man can indeed wear Gucci glasses and make them look good. Laugh if you want, but Gramps rocked those glasses.

6.     Marriages can actually last 60 years if two people are truly in love. 

7.    A grampa's love for his grandchildren is unlike any other. There was never a time I felt unloved when I was in his presence. His constant love and unwavering support for everything I have done thus far in my life has made me feel like one of the most loved people on the planet. I always felt so wonderful when Gramps told me he was proud of me.

8.     Life is better by the lake, especially Booth Lake. Some of my earliest memories include being out on the boat in the summer or ice fishing in the winter with Gramps.

9.     The Northwoods isn’t a travel destination. It’s a place where countless birthdays are celebrated, Fourth of Julys are spent on an extremely steep hill, swim trunks are lost in the lake, sand is shoved in babies diapers, plays are performed on fireplaces, and most importantly, memories are made to last a lifetime.

10. And lastly, the Sedivy Clan is a force to be reckoned with. Even in the toughest of times, the family of Thomas Sedivy knows how to pull together and support each other. I wouldn't trade being a part of this family for anything in the world.

While the pain seems to be unbearable right now, I am truly blessed to have had Thomas Sedivy as my gramps for almost twenty years. The memories I have made in that time will stick with me forever. To one of the toughest, most determined, caring men I have had the opportunity to know, I’ll be seeing you.