What's up everyone, it's me again coming to you on a serious but humble standpoint..On October 26th 2009 (at approximately 12:00 PM) I got a call from my mother in which to inform me that my Grandpa (Alva Anderson) passed away at the age of 85 years old in his home in Jamaica. This shocked me however two things prevented me from shedding tears (1) It was expected since the beginning of the new year and (2) He was in a lot of pain when he was alive and was depressed, so him passing was technically a good thing because he is now reunited with my Grandmother who died almost a decade ago...After many talks with my Dad and my brother and out of integrity, I will have to go down to Jamaica to bury my Grandfather because I was his eldest grandchild and it is "the right thing to do".
And it seems like things are becoming a little bit rocky within my organization. I was informed that one of my fellow exec board members isn't please with how I am holding down the Treasury position and claiming that he "doesn't mind taking my spot". I don't think it's important to name his name but then again it's not worth it. Since upon entering, I have been putting myself second for everything in that organization and now realizing that I need to help myself before I help others. As a result, I withdrew from my organization and I will return next school quarter so they can understand that they have a good treasurer and it's time for some people to MAN up about their problems and let it be known rather than hide behind someone else...
Which brings me to my key topic MANhood. Being a Man is all about knowing what's best for himself first before helping others and standing up for himself whenever there seems like something isn't right. A Man knows how to treat a lady right, be gentle with kids and in the meantime knows how to be fair with his fellow guys without coming off as a jackass. A man knows how to defend himself and will never throw the first punch. Overall, a Man is that one individual with a destiny that he would never let anyone or anything get in the way of. I honestly didn't want to fly down to Jamaica to bury my grandfather but I feel like there is a responsibility that my family is trying to teach me when it comes down to my morals. My grandfather was a kind, strong, and intelligent man who along with my grandmother gave birth to my Aunties and my Mom and through all that, I was born. Without my grandfather, there wouldn't be no DJ iShine, no College Student, No Brother, No Son, No Friend, No Cousin, and the list can go on and on....but let's not forget the key element, without my grandfather there would be NO MAN....
I know my grandfather would want me to be happy and living life to the fullest on my 20th birthday however things can't happen like that. Most men my age are either in the club, the bar, at a friends house, a girlfriend's house, or just home alone on their 20th birthday but on my 20th birthday it seems like I will have to be in Jamaica to part ways with my Grandfather because throughout it all, it's something called 'responsibility'.....You can't change the world until you can change yourself, but please understand I can't help you until I can help myself.
As of November 8th 2009, I will no longer be a teen...I will be considered a grown man now. All my life I was taught to help others and be kind but I have learned being kind is not always going to get you what you want. Just bear with me as I come of age and understand that to me this isn't something to be all sad about..it's just a symbolic event that has just happened.
In conclusion, no one should ever experience the tragedy of burying their late Grandfather on their 20th birthday but understand that as I continue to grow up and enter my 20s as a man, this is my life and I am the only one in charge of my decisions
REST IN PEACE GRANDPA...THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING (1924-2009)
