From Grumpy To Grateful

When I retired I got a ‘Grumpy Old Man’ sweatshirt. This was a requirement, an expectation of a man of my age and disposition.

However, I’ve discovered that as well as my Grumpy Old Man Persona (GOMP) I have a Grateful Old Man Nature (GOMN). They often have discussions and disagree. Yesterday/today’s conversations – that I’m delighted to say that GOMN won – included:

GOMP: Old men are by nature grumpy. My life’s full of grumpy role models who help me develop this part of my character.

GOMN: In retirement I’ve met some lovely men. Some have a grumpy shell but inside they’re kind, generous, witty, compassionate, wise…

GOMP: Lowestoft’s boring. There’s nothing to do, nowhere to go. The people are unkind, thoughtless, uncaring…

GOMN: Yesterday was a good day. I walked along a beautiful beach, chatted to and messaged good people, I had an unexpected opportunity to help a friend, learned about a good local school…

GOMP: I’m not as fit as I was. I forget things, I get tired quickly, I’m anxious about the future health and wellbeing of those I love…

GOMN: Today’s a good day. Later I shall go down to chat to good men at our Men’s Shed. I shall go with my son Pete to the football in Norwich this afternoon. We’ll have fish and chips for tea.

This morning, reading Matthew 26:

‘… a woman came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head…

‘When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’ (GOMP characteristics!)

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me…  (GOMN characteristics!)

‘…wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’  (I’m musing!)

Today I’m not wearing the sweatshirt.