Manhood

Grandma had just got done giving me a chore to do but it was a chore I did not want to do. I made all kinds of excuses for not doing it but grandma would not budge. Finally in frustration I simply said to her that I would not do what she said. I also added in disgust that I could not wait until I was old enough to do whatever I wanted.

Grandpa came into the room at that time and from the fire I saw in his eyes I knew I had made a very big mistake. His fists were on his hips; his eyes glared at me as he said in a very low tone that he used when angered;

" Boy, that is your grandmother you are speaking to and I will not tolerate your disrespect towards her. Now, go do as she told you and I mean right now."

I did not hesitate I ran out to do what I was told and when I had finished the chore grandma gave me I returned and sheepishly said, "I’m sorry, grandma."

Grandma just looked down at me, a big smile on her face, her eyes sparkled as bright as the stars above then without a word she leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. It may have been her way of accepting my apology but it made me feel as if she was saying that there was nothing to forgive. She had that way about her, making a person feel good even when they know they shouldn’t.

Grandpa then said in a soft voice, " Sit Down here at the table"

Hearing the soft voice I knew grandpa had something important to say so I sat down in a chair across from grandpa and silently awaited his words. This is what he had to say.

"Boy, growing up to being a man is hard, I know. It seems to take forever. But growing up and being a man is not about being able to do whatever you want to though it may seem like it now to you. Yes, there are some who grow up and yes they do whatever they want but one thing, they do not grow up as a man.

A boy is one who will do as he is told to do but what he does he sees it as nothing but a chore. A boy at the door of manhood is one who does as he is told but knows he has been given the privilege of a responsibility to fulfill and he does it without complaint. A man is one who knows his responsibilities and fulfills them without being told and knows the rewards of them.

Raising you up to be a man is a responsibility that both your grandmother and I accepted and it is a responsibility we seek to fulfill. But know this also, my boy, it is a responsibility that we are happy to possess and consider it the greatest of privileges.

One more thing, a man will grow older and know greater knowledge with each day that passes. Tis the man that realizes just how young he be, no matter his age, that grows into wisdom. Never seek to grow older but always seek to realize just how young you be no matter how old you be."

With these words he went quiet and I knew that these words would remain with me the rest of my life.