We were playing pool during Christmas holiday. Rachel, my fourth-grade granddaughter asked, “What do you do, Grandpa?”
“I work with doctors.” She wanted more. “What do you do with them?”
“I often begin by asking them to share the purpose of their life.”
“What do they say?”
“Some say their purpose is to be a healer; some say it is to make life easier for others; some say to support my family.”
Then the surprise question. “What is your purpose, Grandpa?”
No child had ever asked me that question. And that prompted an inner soliloquy. “I don’t want her walking away thinking, WHAT DID HE SAY? I wanted her to understand exactly what I was feeling and thinking. My language must be clear and to the point.”
“Rachel, the purpose of my life is to help others do well.”
Her immediate response was practical. “Can you help me play pool better?”
“I can.” I helped her, and she won the game. I loved the defeat. She doesn’t remember the event. I will never forget it.
