Leaving my legacy

Pants? Not a chance...

In my opinion, one of the very coolest things about having grandchildren is warping them in ways their parents may not approve of, but can do nothing about.

Like teaching them:

To laugh at themselves, to laugh at really silly things like babies’ farts and dogs chasing bubbles, to laugh, to laugh... to laugh.

To not take things too seriously. Make silliness a priority and surround yourself with people who just naturally make you smile.

To find a profession they can tolerate. Your job doesn’t have to make you ridiculously happy, that ideal is pie-in-the-sky and frustrating to try to find. Just do something you have a knack for, makes money and doesn’t make you resent whoever you do it for or with.

To avoid stress, self-doubt, self-criticism and other non-essential traits we sometimes acquire. They’re all a waste of time and detrimental to loving your life. Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat.

That art is everywhere you look and in everything you read, feel and hear and should be celebrated accordingly. Can’t draw anything but stick figures? Then draw the hell out of them!

To have compassion for every living thing and to respect every person they meet.

To grow and nurture a living thing. A plant, a kitten, a child, stem cells, a beard worthy of a lumberjack, sea monkeys, whatever they can handle.

To take advantage of education, and to never stop learning, because why would you ever want to stop learning?

Speaking of learning, LEARN to use correct spelling and grammar! It’s what separates us from the stoopids, and the stoopids are the ones we eat first if civilization breaks down...

To reduce, to reuse and to recycle and to leave the earth in a little better shape, if they can. Or to at least harm it as little as possible. In other words, you don’t need to drive a Hummer. No one ‘needs’ to drive a Hummer. Learn to love a smaller carbon footprint and be smart enough to own and use a bicycle. With a helmet, Mister Smartbrain, common sense is required.

To pay attention to their health and stay away from junky food and junky hobbies. And junky people...

To learn to cook, and cook well. It’s the easiest thing you’ll ever learn that will impress the most people you could ever imagine. Start with soup, it’s very forgiving if you make a mistake.

To appreciate music and dance every chance they get, whether alone or with company. Especially to the Ramones (Rockaway Beach and Blitzkreig Bop for starters). Pants-optional if you’re alone or with a tolerant loved one.

To spend some time alone and enjoy every moment. Even the ones without pants.

To love themselves. If not for themselves, for me.

And to never forget to check the rearview once in awhile. You can only see how far you’ve come and how you got to where you are now if you know who and what you came from and which way you went from there.

Patti is Editor of the Greene County Daily World. She loves to laugh and also loves kitties. She’s kind of weird but has a heart of gold. If you would like to share a story or just make a friend, she can be reached at pattippdanner@gmail.com.