Editor’s note: Recently in The Voice, the announcement was made of the death of the conductor of the column, Ask Grandpa, which provided readers with 503 weeks of sage advice, humor, and continuity. Below is the repeat of the February 11, 2021 column. The Voice will continue to offer previous columns. We invite special requests of previous columns.
Grandpa says: Grandpa wishes to thank loyal readers of The Voice. With your loyalty and indulgence, Grandpa is, as of today, entering his 10th year responding to the pulse of our varied readership. I look forward to serving you for many years to come.
Grandpa,
I was at the hospital for an outpatient procedure. I have a handicap plate on my car. When I pulled into a handicapped parking spot, before I even got out of my car, a woman came to my car window yelling irately that I cannot park there. She said that it is reserved only for people with a handicapped placard hanging from the mirror. I happen to know that in Illinois if one uses the license plate, the placard is required. I had not even had the time to get it out of the glove box before she came to my car. I was busy putting on my face mask. I asked her to wear a mask if she is going to be frothing at the mouth. She actually leaned on my car door to prevent me from getting out. I saw a hospital security officer and honked my horn to get his attention. He came over and told me that the lady has a point and said I have to move my car. I put my placard on the mirror and asked him to remove her from my car. He did, but admonished me that in the future the placard must on the mirror before I pull into the spot. That is just plain stupid.
Grandpa says: In all my years I have heard of some stupid reasons for people to argue, but yours is beyond belief. In the first place, the placard is not even allowed to be hanging while the car is in motion. I have to consider the veracity of your account. My beloved Grandmother had a saying, “It is very easy to stitch lace on to a crying towel.” Grandpa suggests that you let it go. The incident is past and not worth the effort needed to continue to mull it over.
Grandpa,
This is the 15th Valentine’s Day since I began dating my high school sweetheart. We were married on Valentine’s Day 48 years ago. (Several) children and (even more) grandchildren later, she is still my high school sweetheart. We saw generations come up from small children to adults. We were raised in the 1950s and the 1960s. We were both lucky enough to have parents who taught us to listen to the advice of our elders. We have seen generations try to do their own thing and fail from a lack of experience. We just want to share some advice. Whenever a couple has a disagreement, we suggest that they not look at the present difference of opinion. Look at the love you first felt when you were dating. Learn from your elders’ errors and successes. Most important of all, love the one you are with.
Grandpa says: I recognize your last line and the song you quoted. Your advice is well timed. God bless.