If he were still alive my Grandfather would have turned 97 today. It sounds kind of funny but I remember my grandfather, Grampa Joe, as being more of a friend than anything else.
Even though we lived in very different worlds we could always sit down over a cup of percolated coffee and talk. He was a great sounding board for my many ideas. Back then I was trying to figure out what my role in the world was supposed to be. No matter what crazy idea I came to him with we would sit down and chat about it.
Late in his life when I came to him to ask his opinion about some course I was thinking of taking, he told me to use my best judgement because the world had changed so much that his reference points no longer worked. I still valued his thoughts and wisdom.
I hope your birthday is a happy one, wherever you are.