My grandfather is a remarkable old man.
Now, when I say "remarkable", I don't mean that he is a millionaire, an influential person in the politics, or a charity organiser.
In fact, he is just the regular old man, working in a petrol station, standing for hours in the oil-reeked place, despite the fact that his knobbly knees are giving up on him.
Everyday, without fail, the old man will rise as early as 4 am. He will first put the kettle on, then brush his teeth, wash his face. As he waits for the water to boil, he'll read the morning papers. Breakfast is just the simple combination of biscuits and tea. Then at 5 am, he will change into his uniform and make his way to the petrol station. He gets his bike ready and sets off.
Although the station isn't very far off, he take more than half an hour to cycle there. His knees are weak but his will is strong. Cycling keeps him healthy, he said.
To be honest, he just wants to be independent so that his children do not need to worry about him. So that he won't be "the useless old fellow", he admits.
He isn't a very rich man, as you can tell by now. He is thrifty. His meals are normally made up of rice, vegetables, vegetables and more vegetable. Again, he says that this is for his health.
Why save up, you may think.
Why? I asked myself.
And then I realised that all these money he could have spent for himself.. he gave it to us, his grandchildren.
Why don't you use it for your own, grandpa?
Because this is how I want to spend my money. On you.
He smiles.
And he has always been the lighthouse in my life, guiding me through the storm. Whenever I need a pair of listening ears, my grandfather will be there for me. Unlike most adults, he does not judge. He encourages instead. "Just because you are young does not mean that you don't no what is the right choice. The question is if you choose to step on the right path." And my lighthouse guided me, the lost little boat, out in the stormy seas.
Just like most of my post, there isn't any obvious point in this one.
:)