Grandpa downplays 102nd

opinions

March 22, 2013 - 12:00 AM

I sat at my desk, trying to decide what to write on a birthday card for someone who is turning 102.
Should I go the witty route, cracking some joke about what things were like before electricity or sliced bread? It’s too close to true to actually be funny. How about the route of adoration and surprise — “I can’t believe you’re 102, you’re doing so well!” Neither of those seemed appropriate, because it’s not how I truly felt.
My grandfather, Kenny Schwartz, was the one celebrating his birthday. My mom and dad, along with my aunt and uncle, had been planning how to celebrate the special day. Everyone felt it was special, save for one person. Grandpa acted like it was just another day, cracking jokes about his age. He was never one to boast about his achievements.
Let’s put this in perspective.
Kenneth Fritz Schwartz was born on March 19, 1911. Howard Taft was president, Arizona and New Mexico were not yet states and people still referred to the Titanic as an achievement of modern engineering — not a tragedy.
His long resume includes training glider pilots for World War II (he was already too old to serve overseas), starting the Schwartz Electric company, and selling wholesale tools until he retired in his late 90s. Unofficial jobs include helping to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition (not officially confirmed), a pilot and successfully hitting on every single girl that I introduced him to — he’s still a professional at that.
When we were sitting down at the restaurant, laughing, eating and drinking, I sat across from my grandpa. Sure, it’s safe to say that he has slowed down a lot these past few years, though he’s never enjoyed a real retirement in over a century. Maybe that is the key.
Kenneth Schwartz is someone that always has a plan, a project. As we shared a glass of scotch the other day, he was telling me that I need to buy the Fort Scott newspaper and run it with him (not my plan, don’t worry Fort Scott Tribune). He has never assumed that he is old, or that he has slowed down. He just assumes that he should carry on as always, regardless of his age.
We can take lessons from someone like my grandfather. It has nothing to do with the water in Fort Scott, and it definitely has nothing to do with exercise — he probably hasn’t run a mile in his life. It’s about a mental attitude. Your age won’t catch up to you if you don’t let it.

I DECIDED to write what I really thought on my grandpa’s birthday card:
“Happy birthday grandpa. There may be some doubters out there, but I never doubted we would be celebrating your 102nd some day. You’ve always been someone who has been young at heart, and that’s what makes you such a great guy. Love, Steven.”
Steven Schwartz

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