I Hate Pulling Weeds
I hate pulling weeds.
There is no clever analogy or cute phrase to drive home a life-changing point. I straight up do not enjoy pulling weeds. I am 6'2" with long legs — the weeds are pretty far from my hands and arms. I didn't enjoy it when it was one of my monthly chores growing up. I didn't enjoy it during my teenage lawn service days. I didn't enjoy it as a young first-time homeowner. And I still don't enjoy it as a middle-aged man who has more things to do than time to do them.
I still pull weeds.
Why? Because my ten-year-old grandson, Graham, wanted to save up money for a big goal. He lost one of his mowing yards when the homeowner moved away. He asked if he could mow mine. I told him that the job was already taken. Then I proposed the idea of weeding my lakefront beach. With the lake so low due to the ongoing heat wave, there were more plants than water.
We agreed on a price. Then we talked about what a good work ethic and attitude looks like on the job. Then we set the clock for 6:45 a.m. to beat the heat and a timer to wrap up in three hours. It was hard work. The sand grabs whatever little moisture is left and holds those roots firmly. Graham worked hard. He asked questions and said some of the most interesting things:
"Pop, which war in history do you think was the most meaningful?"
"Pop, is that Frozen on your playlist?"
"Pop, look at these ants! They are all over the place."
"Pop, look at this weed. It looks like a small tree."
"Pop, I'm going to be on camera 3 tonight. Will you come up and see me after you record the online part?"
"Pop, what time is it?"
"Pop, look at the ducks — they're following us up the beach."
"Pop, there's a bird on your back porch pecking at your window."
"Pop, the new plays are coming out in my drama group. A lot of my friends are moving up to middle school. I'm going to miss them."
"Pop, what's your favorite Xbox game?"
"Pop, that was fun today."
You are probably picking up on my strategy. I love spending time with my grandkids. Usually it's fun stuff. This was a life lesson for both of us. I couldn't have gotten it done without him in the time we had. We covered some ground — literally and figuratively. My favorite part was the unscripted, unprepared questions and observations of a young man full of life and curiosity. I would have missed all of that if we didn’t go out to tackle the project.
I love that guy.
That is why I pull weeds.
