Current No. 15 of 31 · the second half of life

The Torchbearer

Strong in Mark: passing something on to others
Growing in Ahead: leaning toward what comes next

The Torchbearer, an original photograph by John G. Geier III

You are copying the old recipe cards for the grandchildren in your best hand, and you have not tried a new recipe in fifteen years. The cards are beautiful. You carry what is worth keeping, and you hand it on.

You will recognize this

You make the same dishes, beautifully. A grandchild shows you their game or their music, and you watch politely from the doorway. Asked to try something, you say, “Oh, you go ahead. I'll watch.” You are generous with what you know. Shy with what you don't.

The younger ones come to you: the grandson who wants the fishing story again, the niece who calls about the sourdough, the new hire who needs the old accounts explained. You tell the real thing, hard parts included.

This season

You have carried the torch a long way: the traditions, the skills, the stories. Now you are the oldest teacher in the family. That is an honor. It can also make you the only one who never learns anything new in front of them.

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