My Grandfather's Watch

I never really knew either of my grandfathers. My mother's father died before I was born, and though I met Grandpa McAlister a few times, I don't recall any personal interaction with him. Consequently, my knowledge of that generation has been limited to snippets of stories picked up along the way. But about a month ago, I received an unexpected email with a surprising connection to the past.

One of my cousins died last year, and her daughter found something interesting while sorting through her mother's possessions. It was an old pocket watch that had belonged to Grandpa McAlister. "It's not of any monetary value," she assured me, "but someone with the family name ought to have it." Having met my son Barrett after her mother's funeral, she felt he should be the one.

She shipped the watch without delay. Even though it doesn't run, we are happy to have it. When I mentioned the watch to my dad, he recalled many such timepieces. Grandpa never had much money, he told me, but he always carried an inexpensive watch. "A man can't afford to be without a watch," he would say. When a watch wore out, he would throw it away and buy another. We must have the last one.

"Grandpa worked hard six days a week," my dad said, "and took care of himself until he was past 90 years old." That work ethic may have come because he recognized the value of time, and to be remembered as a hard worker is a reputation that bears no shame.

In the book "Grandfather's Gold Watch" by Louise Garff Hubbard, twelve-year-old Peter Nels Jorgensen left his native Denmark to accompany his parents to America. Knowing that he would never see his grandson again, Grandfather Jorgensen gave Peter the handsome gold watch that had also been given to him at age 12 by his grandfather.

"Whenever you look at the watch," Grandfather Jorgensen encouraged Peter, "think of these two questions. What have I done with my name, and what have I done with my time?"

Those questions should burn in our hearts as well. Each minute is a priceless jewel we have and hold for only a moment, and a good name is of more valuable than great riches. The heritage we leave behind will depend on how we have spent our time and the reputation associated with our names.

My son now has both the name and the watch that belonged to a great-grandfather he never knew. Should he be privileged to pass them on to a son or grandson, I hope they will be conveyed with the same penetrating questions pondered by young Peter Jorgensen. "What have I done with my name, and what have I done with my time?"

In the interim, I hope that both my son and I will be diligent to redeem our time in a way that will leave a worthy reputation attached to our names.

Copyright 2000 James McAlister

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